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What’s the latest?
What is the latest news on the Hertfordshire Campus?
- You may have noticed some changes to the site. As a routine part of the planning process, we have committed to undertaking a series of surveys on the site over the coming months, beginning in late April, to build on earlier assessments.
- These surveys help us to continue taking a responsible approach to development, including strengthening our understanding of the site’s ecological baseline and local flood risk, as well as identifying any archaeological or historic features on site.
- Temporary fencing will be put in place around active survey areas and will only remain for as long as those activities are ongoing. Safety and environmental protection are a priority, and fencing will be used around active work areas to protect trees, hedgerows, wildlife and users of the public footpath. The fencing will be removed once the relevant works have been completed.
- If you have any questions about activity on the site, please contact us.
About data centres
Who are Equinix?
- Equinix is one of the largest digital infrastructure companies in the world. 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 bringing a wide array of benefits to the communities that host our data centres and are proud of our track record as an engaged and positive investor in local communities.
What is a data centre?
- A data centre is a high-tech building that stores digital information for the internet and other digital services. Different organisations lease space in our facilities, meaning the Hertfordshire Campus will not only support everyday internet use but could also host servers for banks, web providers, government departments and the NHS. It’s part of the physical backbone that keeps the UK connected and its essential services running reliably.
Why do we need data centres?
- Every email sent, online purchase made, or film streamed in the cloud depends on secure digital infrastructure. Demand for this infrastructure continues to grow rapidly as more services, including healthcare, education, local government and business, move online.
- Building data centres in the UK helps keep data and digital services hosted within the country, rather than relying on facilities overseas. This improves reliability, security and resilience, while also supporting skilled jobs and investment in local communities.
Why is a data centre being developed in Hertfordshire?
- Hertfordshire already has the right mix of power connections and fibre networks needed for a data centre. It’s also well located between London and other major data hubs, making it an ideal place to serve national and regional needs while contributing to local growth.
Are data centres safe for nearby residents?
- Yes. There’s no safety risk to nearby residents. Data centres are quiet, low impact buildings with strict controls on noise, air quality and drainage. Most activity happens indoors, and Hertfordshire Campus will operate within all planning conditions set by the council. We take our regulatory obligations regarding noise seriously: we screen for pre-existing background noise, including that which exists from the motorway. Once operational, as required by the planning permission, the data centre will not be any louder than background noise which already exists.
About the Hertfordshire Campus project
When did Equinix purchase the site?
- We acquired the site in October 2025. The site already had planning permission for a data centre. This planning permission was secured by the previous landowner and approved by Hertsmere Borough Council.
- Since we acquired the site in October 2025, we have been committed to responsibly designing and delivering the site based on the conditions and requirements from the approved outline planning permission, and in close consultation with the local community.
- While the decision to classify the land for development was taken prior to our acquisition of the site, we feel the utmost responsibility to the land. Beyond increasing the biodiversity net gain by more than 10%, we also plan to keep at least half of the site green space, with new woodland, meadows, hedgerows and ponds created to support wildlife and wellbeing.
- We also understand how important access to this land is to the local community, which is why we’ve designed our plans to provide publicly accessible open space.
Will parking be affected around Dame Alice Owens School?
- A condition included in the outline planning decision is to build a new cycle lane down Dugdale Hill Lane, next to Dame Alice Owen’s School. To offset any loss of street parking from the proposed cycle lane, we will also be building a new car park opposite the school entrance, for students and their families to use.
- Keeping residents safe is a priority for us. We will make sure to work closely with the school and the local councils during the planning process, and we will also keep the community updated as the plans progress.
Will the data centre affect the school bus services for Dame Alice Owens?
- Bus services will not be impacted, but the bus stop on Sawyers Lane will be moved slightly to accommodate the new cycle lane.
- These measures form part of the planning conditions included in the outline planning decision, for a new cycle lane on Dugdale Hill Lane. Student safety is a priority for us, and we will ensure that any changes are made in close consultation with the school and the local councils.
Will the data centre be visible from Dame Alice Owens school?
- As set out in the planning permission, the buildings will have a maximum height of 23m (around the height of nearby trees and landscape features), to ensure they sit low in the landscape, roughly level with the height of nearby tree lines. We’re keeping more than half of the site as open space, including new woodland, grassland and ponds.
- From most viewpoints, the trees and landscaping will hide the buildings almost completely. We’ll start planting early so screening is in place as soon as possible.
What is the timeframe for development? When will the site be operational?
- Construction is expected to begin in 2027, and the Hertfordshire Campus is due to open and become operational in 2031.
- Between now and then, we’ll continue working on detailed designs, preparing the site responsibly, and keeping residents updated about upcoming stages.
Why will the site not be completed by the original 2030 date publicised by DC01UK?
- The campus will open in line with when the National Grid electricity connection for the site becomes available, which is planned for 2031. This ensures the data centre connects directly to a reliable, high-capacity power supply, keeping the local network for homes and businesses unaffected.
What will the hours of construction be? Will there be construction at night?
- Construction work at the Hertfordshire Campus will be strictly limited to daytime hours. Under the planning permission, noisy construction, demolition or alteration works that can be heard beyond the site boundary are only allowed during the following times:
- 8:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday; 8:00am to 1:00pm on Saturdays; and no construction at all on Sundays or public holidays.
- There will be no routine construction at night. The only exception would be in a genuine emergency, which is standard practice for all major developments.
Will there be an officer on site to resolve any day-to-day issues?
- Yes. During construction, there will be a clearly identified site management team responsible for the day-to-day running of the site and for responding to any issues that arise, such as noise, dust or traffic concerns.
- As part of the planning permission, we are required to put in place a communications strategy for each phase of development. This includes providing up-to-date contact details for the project team and clear arrangements for how concerns can be raised and addressed quickly. This means residents, schools and local stakeholders will know who to contact and how, rather than having to go through formal complaints processes.
Will the development cause travel disruption and how will this be mitigated?
- Traffic from the site will be limited. Around 200 people will work at the campus once it’s open, but with shift patterns in place, and about 75 will be there at any one time, helping to spread journeys through the day.
- The main entrance will be from Swanland Road, and the emergency access will be from Bridgefoot Lane. Bridgefoot Lane will not be used during construction; it will be reserved for pedestrians and cyclists and is only expected to be used by vehicles for emergency access and in exceptional circumstances approved by the local authority, such as survey access. The lane will not be used for daily traffic.
- During construction, we’ll plan delivery routes carefully so heavy vehicles avoid busy roads and school areas. We’ll keep residents updated so you know what to expect and when.
Will local infrastructure be improved to mitigate traffic disruption?
- As part of our planning permission, we have also committed to providing £2 million in funding to support local infrastructure. This will include improving bus services, footpaths and cycleways, as well as support towards a cycle for hire scheme.
What roads will employees use to access the data centre?
- The main entrance will be from Swanland Road, and the emergency access will be from Bridgefoot Lane. Bridgefoot Lane will not be used during construction; it will be reserved for pedestrians and cyclists and is only expected to be used by vehicles for emergency access and in exceptional circumstances approved by the local authority, such as survey access. The lane will not be used for daily traffic.
Will the data centre affect access to local footpaths, bridges and bridleways?
- The data centre will not affect access to any public rights of way. As we committed to in the planning permission, we will invest in improving the local footpaths, bridleways and cycleways that currently exist.
- By improving the green space surrounding the data centre, we also hope to enhance the experience of these routes for residents. We will plant new woodland, create wildflower meadows, restore hedgerows, and add ponds to encourage birds, insects and other species to thrive.
Will the data centre affect the health, wellbeing or safety of children at local schools?
- No. The Hertfordshire Campus will not affect the health, wellbeing or safety of children at local schools. There are strict controls in place to manage noise, air quality and traffic, both during construction and once the site is operational. Construction traffic will be carefully planned to avoid busy roads and school pick-up and drop-off times, and all work will take place during daytime hours only.
- The site is being designed to operate quietly, with noise kept below typical background levels, and backup generators used only in emergencies or for short daytime tests. Pedestrian routes, bridleways and public rights of way will remain safe and accessible throughout construction and operation.
- We also want to leave the area in a better condition than we found it. More than half of the site will remain green, with new woodland, meadows, hedgerows and ponds created to support wildlife and wellbeing. Alongside this, we are keen to work with local schools to explore educational and skills-based initiatives, and we will share more on this as plans develop.
How will Equinix keep the data centre safe?
- Data centres have been designated by the UK government as Critical National Infrastructure and as such are built to high safety and security standards. The Hertfordshire Campus buildings will include advanced fire detection and suppression systems, along with strict safety procedures, to help prevent and respond to any potential incidents.
- These measures are designed to ensure the campus operates safely and responsibly as part of the local community.
Could the data centre be a target for attack?
- Data centres operate safely in many locations in the UK and Europe, often close to existing communities and businesses.
- The UK government has recognised data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, meaning they are expected to meet high standards of resilience and security and work closely with relevant authorities to manage potential risks.
- Alongside these national standards, the Hertfordshire Campus will be designed in close coordination with the local authority as part of the planning process, helping to ensure it operates safely alongside the community.
Could this site be expanded or redeveloped in the future?
- We are committed to keeping within the requirements laid out in our planning permission, which is for a development of up to 187,000 square metres.
Working with the community
How are you consulting the community?
- Input from the local community is extremely important to us and has already helped inform decisions made as we develop the site plans.
- We held public consultation events at Dame Alice Owen’s School on 27th and 28th February. Members of our project team were present to outline our proposals, respond to questions and listen carefully to feedback.
- We were keen to ensure all members of the community who wished to attend could and so, in the weeks leading up to the events, we placed notices in the Welwyn Hatfield Times and delivered invitations to close to 9,000 households in Potters Bar, South Mimms, Ridge and surrounding areas.
- In addition to the public consultation, we have a dedicated Community Engagement Manager who has enjoyed participating in local events and getting to know the community. Wider members of our team, including our UK MD, have also been meeting with community members and broader stakeholders and will continue to do so as we build our engagement in the area.
- If you would like to invite us to an event or introduce your organisation to Equinix, please reach out to CommunityRelationsUK@eu.equinix.com.
Will Equinix share updates with the local community on the development?
- Updates on the development of the Hertfordshire Campus will be shared on our website. You can view the information presented at the public consultation events held in February on this this page.
What is Equinix doing in the local community?
- We are committed to working closely with the local community to ensure the benefits of the Hertfordshire Campus are widely felt. We are exploring ideas with members of the local community, but as a starting point we want to sponsor local sports teams, organise local environment clean up days, and create tech-focused educational partnerships with local schools.
- We want to co-create these plans with you, and would love to hear from you how you think Equinix could contribute to the local community.
How will Equinix support local schools?
- We are keen to engage with local schools to find out how best we can support them. This is likely to take the shape of educational initiatives, so we can support local students and schoolchildren to develop the skills needed for roles in the growing science, technology and data centre industries.
- We have already introduced apprenticeships and work experience schemes at our other data centre sites in the UK, such as in Slough, and we are eager to explore similar opportunities in Potters Bar and South Mimms.
- We expect to announce more on this in the coming months, following conversations with local schools, parents, educational providers and the wider community.
What are the long-term economic benefits of the development to the community?
- Once fully built, Hertfordshire Campus will bring £3.9 billion in investment to the area. This will be used to fund improvements to local infrastructure and services, such as bus routes, footpaths and cycleways.
- It will also create over 200 permanent job opportunities for local people.
- The borough and wider county will also benefit from over £20 million a year in business rate revenue from the development.
- We want to discuss with residents and businesses how we can introduce more initiatives, such as employment and training opportunities, that will support the local economy further.
How many jobs, and of what kind, will the data centre create for local people, during both operation and construction?
- The Hertfordshire Campus will create around 500 local jobs during construction and over 200 permanent roles once it is open.
- Many of these will be highly skilled positions, and we are keen to hire local people for both the construction and long-term roles. Alongside jobs directly at the campus, there will also be new opportunities in services that support it, such as security, landscaping, cleaning, catering and maintenance.
- Details on how local residents can apply will be shared closer to construction and opening, and we’ll work with local partners to make sure opportunities are well advertised in the area.
Environment & sustainability
How noisy will construction be?
- There will be some noise during construction, as with any building project, but we are committed to keeping this to a minimum. All construction work will take place during daytime hours only, and never on Sundays or public holidays. We will also use quieter reversing alarms, acoustic barriers, and careful scheduling to avoid unnecessary disturbance.
- We understand how important peace and quiet is for nearby residents and the students at Dame Alice Owens school. We will share construction information in advance so people know what to expect, and we will work directly with the community and school to try to address concerns.
Will the data centre be noisy when it is operating?
- No. The Hertfordshire Campus is being designed so that noise stays below typical background levels at the nearest residential homes, in compliance with the strict conditions set out in planning permission. Around the edges of the site, we will introduce new tree belts and earth mounds that help naturally block and absorb any sound.
- Backup generators will only run in emergencies or for short daytime tests, and these are also strictly controlled through planning conditions.
- Taken together, these measures mean the data centre is not expected to produce noise that is noticeable from nearby homes, walking routes or Dame Alice Owen’s School.
How will you ensure that noise is kept to a minimum?
- During construction, all work will take place during daytime hours only, and never on Sundays or public holidays. We will also use quieter reversing alarms, acoustic barriers, and careful scheduling to avoid unnecessary disturbance. We will share construction information in advance so people know what to expect, and we will work directly with the community and school to try to address concerns.
- When the campus is operational, noise will be kept below typical background levels at the nearest residential homes and buildings. Around the edges of the site, we will introduce new tree belts and earth mounds that help naturally block and absorb any sound. And backup generators will only run in emergencies or for short daytime tests, and these are also strictly controlled through planning conditions.
How will the Hertfordshire Campus be powered?
- Data centres are powered by electricity. This power supply will be completely separate from the one used by local homes and businesses.
- The campus will be connected directly to a high-capacity National Grid substation, at the transmission level. A substation is where electricity from power stations and renewable is collected and managed before being sent to sources of demand. Substations help control the flow of electricity and make sure it is delivered safely and reliably.
- By connecting straight into a National Grid substation, Hertfordshire Campus draws its power from the national energy system, rather than the local network that serves homes, schools, and businesses. This ensures that running the campus will not affect local electricity supplies. Local residents will not experience higher usage, lower voltage, or increased risk of blackouts.
- Our intention is for all permanent power to come from the main grid. National Grid has confirmed that the Hertfordshire Campus is scheduled to connect to the electricity grid in 2031. This aligns with when the site is planned to become fully operational. Because of this permanent grid connection, we are not currently considering any on-site power generation for the development.
Will the Hertfordshire Campus be covered by renewable energy?
- Yes, the campus will be covered by 100% renewable electricity. This renewable energy is supplied through a mix of Power Purchase Agreements, which bring new renewable projects online, and Renewable Energy Certificates which enables us to procure renewable electricity matched to all the power we use.
Will the data centre increase electricity prices in the local area, or create any risks to energy demand for residential energy users?
- No. The Hertfordshire Campus will not increase electricity prices for people living in the area, and it will not put any pressure on the local power supply.
- The campus will have its own dedicated connection to a high-capacity National Grid substation. This connection is completely separate from the local network that powers homes, schools and small businesses, which means the data centre’s electricity use cannot affect residential supplies or cause blackouts or brownouts.
Who is funding the required grid upgrades needed for the Hertfordshire Campus?
- Equinix pays for any grid upgrades needed for the campus. These costs are not passed on to local residents, and they do not affect household bills.
How will the data centre be cooled and how much water will it use?
- Hertfordshire Campus has been designed to keep water use as low as possible. Unlike other data centres, the campus will use a closed-loop dry cooling system, meaning that the cooling water is continually circulated within the building rather than using new water. Therefore, the campus will not rely on large amounts of water for cooling – it will use about the same amount of water as a normal office building, mainly for day-to-day activities such as drinking water and bathroom facilities.
- To protect local waterways, the site will include modern drainage systems that collect and filter rainwater safely. We monitor soil and water carefully before, during and after construction to ensure no contamination occurs and to help protect nearby streams and groundwater.
Who pays for water upgrades required for the Hertfordshire Campus?
- Equinix pays for any utility upgrades needed and works closely with local water companies to ensure there is no disruption to the community.
How does heat export work?
- A specialist heat network developer is needed to build and operate the system of insulated pipes that carries the heat to local buildings, and this is complex and expensive infrastructure. Because this is a specialist role, the scheme needs a third party to build that network and enough local demand to make it viable. If those pieces come together, the campus will be ready to support heat export.
Will the campus be heat export ready?
- We are designing Hertfordshire Campus to be heat export ready, meaning it will be able to share its heat with nearby buildings if a suitable partner comes forward. We are fully committed to exploring this and we have successful heat export projects in places like Paris, Helsinki and Toronto. We are speaking to local organisations that may be able to use the heat, and we are ready to fund the connection needed on our side of the fence.
How will the data centre impact the climate?
- We are committed to making Hertfordshire Campus as sustainable as possible. All of our UK data centres are currently covered by 100% renewable electricity, and the campus will follow the same approach. This renewable energy is supplied through a mix of Power Purchase Agreements, which bring new renewable projects online, and Renewable Energy Certificates which enables us to procure renewable electricity matched to all the power we use.
- We also actively pursue ISO environmental certifications for all new data centres. We maintain a global parent certification covering Environmental (ISO 14001), Energy (ISO 50001) and Health and Safety (ISO 45001) standards.
- Globally, we have set a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
How will the project protect local nature and green spaces?
- We want to leave the land in better condition than when we took ownership. More than half of the Hertfordshire Campus will remain green, and we will use this space to create new habitats that support local wildlife. This includes planting new woodland, creating wildflower meadows, restoring hedgerows, and adding ponds to encourage birds, insects and other species to thrive. We will also invest in improving local footpaths, bridleways and cycleways so that the surrounding green areas remain easy and enjoyable for local people to use.
- We are committed to delivering more than the legally required 10% biodiversity net gain, meaning a measurable improvement for nature on the site. A long-term, 30-year management plan will make sure the new habitats are cared for and continue to improve over time. Alongside this, the campus will run on 100% renewable electricity. This means our approach to protecting green space and supporting wildlife will contribute positively to local environmental and climate goals.
I am concerned about the environmental impacts of data centres. How do I know this development stays within legal rules?
- Equinix meets all environmental standards and regulatory obligations placed on us by the authorities. We take the responsibilities for meeting these extremely seriously.
How tall will the data centre be relative to its surroundings? Will it be designed to fit into the natural landscape?
- As set out in the planning permission, the buildings will have a maximum height of 23m to ensure they sit low in the landscape, roughly level with the height of nearby tree lines. We’re keeping more than half of the site as open space, including new woodland, grassland and ponds.
- From most viewpoints, the trees and landscaping will hide the buildings almost completely. We’ll start planting early so screening is in place as soon as possible.
How will light pollution be mitigated?
- As we committed to as part of the planning permission, lighting will point downwards and be dimmed overnight to protect wildlife and reduce glare.
How will the campus impact the local air quality?
- Modern data centres are designed to meet strict environmental standards, and Hertfordshire Campus is no different. The site will be covered by 100% renewable electricity, and during normal daily operation it will not produce any smoke, fumes or ongoing emissions.
- The only part of the site that could generate emissions is the backup generators, which are used very rarely and only for emergencies or short daytime tests. These generators must meet strict air quality limits set by the UK Government and enforced by regulators. Testing can only take place on weekday daytimes and Saturday mornings (never Sundays or bank holidays), and only for a limited number of hours. These rules are in place specifically to protect nearby homes and Dame Alice Owen’s School.
- The project will also enhance nature and wellbeing locally by adding new woodland, ponds, meadows and hedgerows and improving footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes for the community to enjoy.
How will you limit dust and air pollution during construction?
- During construction, we will manage dust very carefully. Before construction can begin, we must agree a Construction Environmental Management Plan and a Dust Management Plan with the Council detailing how we will manage the environmental impacts of construction – including dust and air pollution. We will use a range of measures, for example site hoarding (temporary barriers to protect the public from noise and debris), wheel washing to clean vehicle tyres before they enter public roads, and dust suppression. These measures will help to limit the dust caused by the construction of the campus.