Hertfordshire Campus

Hertfordshire Campus is an important digital infrastructure and data centre development by Equinix – a business that has been connecting and supporting companies in the UK since 1998.

The new site, which has until this point been known as DC01UK, will deliver local economic, environmental and community benefits in Hertfordshire, while strengthening the UK’s digital infrastructure.

If you have any questions or would like to share your views, we’d like to hear from you. You can find details on how to get in touch at the bottom of this page.

About the Development

Welcome to the Hertfordshire Campus

Equinix is developing the Hertfordshire Campus, a new data centre campus east of South Mimms Motorway Services in Hertsmere. With outline planning permission granted in February 2025, the site will include three high-performance data centres that will create local opportunities and underpin the UK’s growing need for digital infrastructure.

While we have been in the UK for 27 years, Equinix is new to Hertsmere and we are committed to working with residents, local representatives and businesses to build positive relationships and deliver lasting benefits that are valued by the local community.

James Tyler

“Our approach to development is grounded in collaboration with communities. We are committed to ensuring residents of the Hertsmere borough really benefit from the investment that digital infrastructure improvements and data centres will bring to their local community. We see our investment as the start of a long-term future for Equinix in the area and will be seeking thoughts and feedback from the community as we work through key milestones. Our goal is to deliver an exceptional facility and experience that serves the local community and the country.”

James Tyler
Managing Director, Equinix UK

At a Glance: Community benefits

  • Delivery of a new data centre campus through £3.9 billion of investment to the local area.
  • Creation of 2,500 jobs in construction and 200 permanent skilled roles in operation, creating local employment opportunities.
  • £2 million to provide upgrades to the 398 bus service between Borehamwood and Potters Bar and support the ‘Hertsmere Hopper’ bus service, as well as additional funding for a local cycle scheme.
  • £18 million of business rates each year, contributing to the provision of local services and amenities.
  • Improvements to the biodiversity of the site, with over half the site retained as open space.

What is being built

Our data centre campus will provide secure, high-performance facilities where businesses connect and process the data that underpins the essential parts of modern life, from online banking and video streaming to healthcare systems, emergency response networks, scientific research, as well as local connectivity for homes, small businesses and universities.

The campus will consist of a small number of modern buildings set within a landscaped site. It will be designed to meet high standards of architecture and sustainability, with extensive planting and screening to integrate sympathetically with the surrounding area.

Why here

The site was chosen for its excellent access to power and fibre connections and its proximity to London, one of the world’s leading digital and economic hubs. Its location also offers access to the skills and talent needed to build and operate the campus.

Equinix already runs several data centres in Greater London and Manchester, and this site provides the right infrastructure to strengthen those networks and continue supporting the UK’s digital economy.

Local benefits

Equinix has a proud record of benefiting the communities where we operate. Our teams support a range of local initiatives that make a positive difference. For example, in Slough we have built strong partnerships with schools, colleges and universities, and offer apprenticeship and training programmes that help people develop skills for careers in the digital economy.

Equinix will honour all commitments made by the previous developer as part of the formal planning process, and we want to go further. We will work with the community to shape multi-year investment programmes that:

  • Boost the local economy and employment.
  • Enhance the environment and biodiversity.
  • Create new amenities, educational pathways, skill development opportunities and community spaces.

We want to co-create these initiatives with residents and organisations in Potters Bar, South Mimms and Ridge. If you’d like to be involved, please use the contact form below or sign up for email updates.

Environment and sustainability

Equinix is committed to responsible investment and operations that prioritise sustainability. Across all our sites, we work to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency. At the Hertfordshire Campus we will:

  • Cover operations with 100% renewable energy.
  • Use dry, air-based cooling that requires no water for data centre cooling.
  • Include drainage systems that prevent flooding and protect local watercourses.
  • Develop the site to support a heat export network and explore opportunities to reuse waste heat from operations.
  • Deliver at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain through tree planting, new habitats and landscaping that retains over half the site as open space.

Construction management

Equinix and its contractors will follow strict environmental and safety standards, with measures in place to manage noise, dust, lighting and drainage. A Construction Management Plan will minimise disruption, while a Traffic Management Plan will manage vehicle movements and reduce impacts on the local road network.

Regular updates will be shared with residents and local representatives throughout the build.

Access and transport

The Hertfordshire Campus will be served by a new main access road from Swanland Road, providing the primary entry point for vehicles. Bridgefoot Lane will be used only for emergency, pedestrian and cycle access. All works will follow detailed design and safety reviews agreed with local authorities.

Equinix will also invest in improving public transport and sustainable travel, including:

  • £1.5 million to upgrade the Route 398 bus service and extend it to Elstree & Borehamwood Station.
  • £0.5 million for a new local ‘Hertsmere Hopper’ bus service connecting nearby communities and workplaces.
  • Upgrades to local cycle routes and public rights of way, all of which will be protected.

Getting in touch

For local residents and community enquiries

If you live nearby, would like to know more about the development, or want to be involved as we develop investment programmes, please contact our community team. We’ll do our best to respond to all messages as quickly as possible.

Email: CommunityRelationsUK@eu.equinix.com

For media and press enquiries

If you’re a journalist or media representative and would like information about the development or Equinix, please contact our media team.

Email: press@equinix.com

About Equinix

With more than 27 years of experience providing digital infrastructure services in the UK, Equinix has a strong history of working hand-in-hand with local partners, councils and communities. We are committed to the communities that host our data centres and want to maintain our track record as an engaged and positive investor in local communities.

Equinix’s established UK footprint includes 14 data centres. Across these facilities, a large portion of customers are UK-based businesses, with a considerable number being multinational companies. Equinix supports over 10,000 different customers globally and has over 1200 UK-based employees, contributing £145 million directly to household income in the UK.