Ken James: Residents will have their say on data centre plans
Council leader seeks to reassure communities as interest grows in proposals near Great Torrington
The proposals to bring a new Data Centre and Battery Storage Centre to land near Great Torrington have understandably generated a lot of interest and concern amongst our community.
As the Local Planning Authority for any future planning application process, we have been inundated with Freedom of Information requests regarding the potential plans.
We understand – there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding around the process and people naturally want to seek clarity on what is being proposed.
As it stands today, Torridge District Council does not currently have any formal planning applications before it, and the proposals remain at pre-application stage. At this stage in the process, the Council would not undertake publicity or neighbour notification on pre-applications, as the process is confidential. However, the release of pre-application advice may be sought under the Freedom of Information Act. Applicants are strongly encouraged to undertake public consultation prior to submitting a planning application, as supported by national planning policy.
It is true that as part of the pre-application service, the council provides informal, non-binding planning guidance from an Officer prior to a planning application being submitted. This does not guarantee that planning permission will be granted. The Constitution confirms this delegation to officers and the pre-application service routinely involves Officers meeting with applicants, undertaking site visits, and the issuing of informal written advice at Officer level – this is standard practice across the planning process.
The current consultation is being led by XLinks as the applicant, and any comments or concerns should be directed to them https://www.devondatacampus.com
Schemes are likely to continue to evolve throughout the pre-application stage so drawings that have been made available via the FOI are more than likely to be superseded. It is not until formal planning applications are submitted (at some point in 2027) that Torridge District Council will undertake its own statutory consultation and this will be based on the schemes and supporting information provided at that stage.
I understand the level of community interest in these proposals and Officers are preparing information to be provided on the Council website to explain the planning processes to be followed and the role of Officers and Members at each stage, together with signposts to the XLinks information.
This is one of the most significant proposals that we have received and I want to reassure residents, businesses and visitors alike, that whilst we are some way off this, the final decision on any application can only be taken after the Council has consulted local people, statutory consultees and any other interested parties. A final decision on an application will be made by senior officers or by the council’s Planning Committee and will be based on all the information available at that time.