The site.
The site sits on land to the east of South Mimms Services and is surrounded on three sides by previously developed land.
Whilst technically designated as Green Belt, the land performs poorly against the purposes of the Green Belt, being adjacent to South Mimms Services and the M25. It also benefits from being set in a valley, meaning development can come forward in a sensitive way. The site can therefore be characterised as ‘Grey Belt’.
The DC01UK proposals will provide a significant investment opportunity for South Mimms, Potters Bar, and the wider area, by enabling the development of a data centre uniquely positioned to deliver online services and meet the needs of the emerging technology sector.
At a size of 85 acres, the site is well-situated for the landscape-led development of a data centre, as it sits in close proximity to several Availability Zones, meaning that it is close to existing fibre optic and power cables, as well as other data centres. The proposal site is also well screened by existing landscaping, and there are very few residential properties in proximity to the site.
Uniquely, data centres require specific locations to operate effectively. This is because they must be close to existing connections to the National Grid power network, ensuring that they can function as efficiently as possible.
There are limited viable sites that meet the necessary requirements for a data centre. These include proximity to Availability Zones, fibre optic routes, and power supply. DC01UK represents a unique example of a proposal that fulfils all these attributes.
Our vision and masterplan.
DC01UK was designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of today while preparing for the needs of tomorrow. It will deliver unparalleled infrastructure, ensuring that the UK economy can thrive in an emerging digital age.
Strategically located near the M25/A1 intersection, the site offers a uniquely prime position for a data centre that provides both connectivity and accessibility to the existing UK power network without the need for significant diversions or works. Its location is further enhanced by close proximity to several major Availability Zones and to both national and international fibre optic routes. This prime position will enable the development to deliver high-performance and secure operations to support the growing demand for cloud and AI data storage and processing, without requiring extensive works to deliver key infrastructure.
The outline planning permission establishes a set of parameters within which buildings can come forward. An illustrative masterplan was also prepared to demonstrate how the site could be developed, defining the potential developable areas and indicative floorspace.
Any buildings proposed within these parameters will be sufficiently separated from nearby properties to mitigate potential issues relating to overlooking or noise as far as possible.
The proposals are landscape-led, with a significant proportion of the site retained and enhanced as open space. Thousands of trees will be planted across the site, creating a Woodland Landscape Buffer surrounding the proposed buildings to the north, east, and south. The campus comprises three developable areas intended to accommodate the data centre buildings, acting as an extension to South Mimms Services to the west.
Two access points are approved as part of the outline consent: the main access from Swanland Road, and an emergency access onto Bridgefoot Lane. The proposals also include several off-site highways improvement works designed to benefit the local community.
Investment
and Jobs.
Data centres are unique in the scale of investment they bring to an area.
The DC01UK proposals represent a multi-billion-pound opportunity over the course of construction, supporting thousands of jobs throughout the build period, many of which are expected to benefit the local area.
Once operational, the development is anticipated to generate substantial business rates and ongoing employment opportunities, providing a lasting boost to the local economy and local services.
In addition to the direct benefits, the project is expected to stimulate significant indirect economic activity across the wider region, supporting jobs in the UK’s digital economy, local service sectors, and associated supply chains.
Biodiversity, highways
and sustainability.
Biodiversity
The proposals include plans to deliver significant biodiversity enhancements, ensuring at least a 10% biodiversity net gain across the site. The development is landscape-led, with a significant proportion of the site retained and enhanced as open space. Thousands of new trees will be planted, and three landscaped belts will surround the proposed buildings to the north, east, and south of the site.
Highways
The site will be accessed from Swanland Road, with an emergency access onto Bridgefoot Lane. While car movements generated by data centres are typically low, a range of off-site highways improvements are proposed to enhance local transport infrastructure and benefit the surrounding community.
These improvements will be designed to ensure safe and efficient access to the site and to strengthen links with the local and strategic road network, including the nearby M25 and A1.
Sustainability
Although detailed design work will follow at the next stage, the DC01UK proposals have been designed with sustainability and efficiency at their core. The development has been designed to support Hertsmere’s Net Zero strategy through the anticipated delivery of low-carbon buildings and on-site renewable energy generation, contributing towards the UK’s broader net zero ambitions.
DC01UK’s South Mimms data centre site has been acquired by Equinix.