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Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated) on Thursday, 23 October 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 November 2025. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Thursday, 6 November 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Artificial Intelligence: Data Centres

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that construction of AI data centres is compatible with energy infrastructure capacity and statutory environmental targets.

Answer

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires local planning authorities to plan for growth sustainably, taking account of infrastructure needs and environmental impacts. It also ensures planning decisions contribute to meeting statutory environmental targets, including by preventing unacceptable pollution and protecting local environments. Planning authorities must also consider water and wastewater capacity, with the cross-government Water Delivery Taskforce helping to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

Subject to draft Regulations that are currently before Parliament being in place, environmental impacts, including energy and water impacts will be assessed as part of the overall consideration and determination of data centre projects that have been directed to proceed through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects consenting process.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will further streamline consenting while maintaining strong environmental safeguards.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL11288
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Construction Environment protection Energy Infrastructure Artificial intelligence Data centres
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk