CONDITIONS around energy usage at a planned Google data centre on part of North Weald Airfield have been challenged by pressure groups reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Plans for a Google data centre at the Epping Forest airfield were granted by Epping Forest District Council in December 2025. The decision by the council to proceed comes after Google paid £88.2m for 21 hectares of the council-owned airfield.
However, since that resolution, Leigh Day Solicitors, acting on behalf of Foxglove, a civil society organisation working to ensure fairness in technology, and Global Action Plan, an environmental charity, have submitted a letter seeking clarification around climate change mitigation measures.
These are based on claims renewable energy would be partly delivered through solar photovoltaic panels and air-source heat pumps. They say the planning balance does not explicitly reference climate impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, or associated mitigation measures, instead referring only to “energy resilience” and recommending approval subject to planning conditions and a section 106 agreement – that sets out developer mitigation contributions.
The council’s resolution in December 2026 includes conditions which requires the development to be carried out in accordance with the Climate Change chapter of the Environmental Statement and the accompanying Energy Statement.
The objection says neither document clearly specifies the type or quantum of renewable energy to be delivered. Changes to conditions are now being looked at to “ensure the development contributes to supporting the council towards a low carbon future and to ensure the development fulfils the very special circumstances on which approval was justified”.
A statement to members prior to the agenda being withdrawn said the revised condition addresses the concerns raised by the objector. It adds: “It requires that the applicant developer submit a clear, specific detailed plan for approval, including precise technologies and performance targets.”
A statement to councillors at a meeting on April 29 said: “Following legal advice. There is no part of the proposed proposal that requires a member sign off. This matter is therefore deferred back to officers for determination.”
Epping Forest District Council approved Google’s outline plans for a data centre on North Weald Airfield – described as a “nationally significant and sustainable development” – dispute concerns around its impact on the wider area.
