Cardiff data centre near Llanrumney called in by Welsh government

Controversial plans to build a data centre in Cardiff will be decided by the Welsh government rather than the city's council.

Developer Curtis Hall wants to build the 30,292 square-metre facility on the site of a park and ride near Llanrumney in the capital's eastern suburbs, and is seeking permission for gas turbines that could temporarily power the site.

Officials said "substantial controversy" and interest in its environmental impact meant it should be determined by the Welsh government.

The decision was made by Welsh Planning Minister Sian Gwenllian the evening before a meeting on Thursday where councillors had been due to discuss the scheme.

Curtis Hall has been approached for comment.

Curtis Hall's application for planning permission attracted petitions with about 4,000 signatures, and formal objections from all of Caerdydd Fynnon Taf's Members of the Senedd.

Concerns have ranged from the site's climate change impact to the loss of the park and ride service, air quality, lighting, noise, flood risk and water use.

According to the letter to Cardiff Council, Gwenllian "concluded the proposed development raises issues of more than local importance, including potential conflict with national policy on transport, energy and flood risk".

"Wide interest in the environmental impact and the policy in relation to data centres means the case has generated substantial controversy beyond the immediate locality," the letter said.

"All these matters lead the cabinet minister to conclude the development is of more than local importance and the applications should be determined by the Welsh ministers."

The application had attracted opposition from all the constituency's Plaid, Labour, Reform and Green Members of the Senedd, including a Welsh government minister.

Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff East, had told residents she had given the plans "conditional support" on the basis it did not compromise local water supplies.

She said the case for data centres "of this type reflects the evidenced demand for digital infrastructure to support the UK's growing technology sector".

Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd (MS) Nick Carter, who was among those who requested the call in, said the move was the "right decision and a major step forward for everyone who has fought to protect this community."

Local campaigners and politicians had requested the call-in in part because they believed the issue should be a matter of national policy, rather than dealt with by councils.

Plaid government ministers are in the midst of producing their own national data centre policy, due to be published later this year.

Friends of the Earth called the proposal to potentially use 49.9MW gas turbines for up to five years to power the site until a grid connection can be obtained as "climate-wrecking".

The developer said it would only be used in a worst-case scenario if other technologies could not be deployed.

Energy generation facilities of 50MW need planning permission from the Welsh government. Curtis Hall denied it was trying to avoid having to make such an application by limiting the plant to 49.9MW.

Cardiff Council planners had recommended councillors give the data centre the go-ahead, helping to diversify the capital's economy and provide a new transport link into Llanrumney.

The council had said that many of the impacts of the site could be avoided, mitigated, compensated for or appropriately managed - and that air quality effects were not considered significant.

It recommended that the planners enter an agreement to ensure an alternative park and ride with no fewer than 225 spaces, with the same number of spaces kept at the facility until the alternative site is completed.

The council's planning committee had been due to discuss the plans on Thursday before the meeting was cancelled.

Confirming the call-in, a Welsh government spokeswoman said: "This case will now be passed to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales [PEDW] who will examine Cardiff Council's planning application and provide a report to the cabinet minister for local government, housing and planning to make a final decision in due course."

As uncertainty swirls over the boss of the AI chip giant, some names have emerged as potential successors.

Wales number eight Taine Basham will start his first international for four years as he replaces the injured Aaron Wainwright against New Zealand.

Ukraine, AI and hybrid threats in Europe to dominate EU summits in Dublin.

Artists Luke Crump and Emi Giovanini from Bracknell say more companies are using AI for flyers and posters.

Seasonal Affective Disorder can affect mood, energy and sleep during the winter months.