Microsoft’s Huge Leeds AI Data Center Faces Local Backlash

Microsoft is facing growing opposition to its planned hyperscale AI data center campus at Skelton Grange in Leeds, UK, with a community petition gathering around 40,000 signatures.

The proposed development would include three buildings and roughly 500,000 square feet of data center space. Campaigners want officials to stop the project before it receives final planning approval.

Microsoft plans a major Leeds AI data center campus

Microsoft plans to build the campus on the former Skelton Grange power station site.

The company acquired the property from Harworth Group for about £106.6 million, or roughly $134 million.

Leeds Planning Committee has already granted conditional planning consent. However, Chief Planning Officer Martin Elliot still needs to provide the final approval before the project can move forward.

Campaigners raise water consumption concerns

One of the main objections centers on how much water the data center could require for cooling.

Petition organizers argue that the facility could consume significant amounts of water when temperatures reach around 29°C. They also warn that climate change could make those hotter periods more common.

Water use has already become a wider concern around AI infrastructure. Microsoft has previously faced criticism over rising water consumption from AI data centers.

Electricity demand also draws criticism

Campaigners have also raised concerns about the amount of electricity the campus could consume.

They argue that another large hyperscale facility could increase pressure on the UK’s energy infrastructure and potentially affect costs.

Microsoft has previously said its data center expansion will not raise customers’ electricity bills. The company is also exploring HTS technology to reduce energy losses across its infrastructure.

Opponents criticize the planning process

Petition organizers also claim residents did not receive enough information about the project or sufficient opportunity to object.

They argue that officials have not given the development’s environmental and infrastructure impact enough scrutiny.

Campaigners have warned that they could pursue a legal challenge if the project receives final approval.

Final approval is still pending

Microsoft has not yet secured the final planning sign-off for the Skelton Grange campus.

Campaigners are now trying to stop that approval before construction begins. If Microsoft receives permission to proceed, the Leeds site would become another major part of the company’s expanding AI and cloud infrastructure in the UK.

Via Neowin