Government review of denied datacentre builds sees Iver project get green light

A government review has concluded that a US-based company should proceed with its plans to build a hyperscale datacentre in Iver, Buckinghamshire, despite initial refusal from Buckinghamshire Council. The council had blocked the project, citing concerns about the use of Green Belt Land.

The Labour government, which came to power in July 2024, pledged to review the council’s decision as part of its strategy to boost economic growth through large-scale infrastructure projects. Following a public local inquiry and a review of the council’s decision, the government granted permission for the project to move forward.

The decision to overturn the council’s refusal was made by Minister of State for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook on behalf of Secretary of State Angela Rayner. The government highlighted the need for new datacentres, reduced HGV movements, heritage benefits, job creation, and investment as key factors in their decision.

Despite concerns about harm to the Green Belt and a listed building, the government concluded that there were “very special circumstances” to justify the development. The decision is subject to challenge in the High Court within six weeks from the date of the letter.

Affinius Capital, the US investment company behind the project, did not respond to requests for comment. This project is one of two datacentre developments under government review, with the outcome of the other project in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, still pending.