Glen Sanderson’s Tory data centre deal. Where's the energy plans to backup given permissions?

 

Concerns surrounding Northumberland Conservative’s deal to replace their lost ‘8000 jobs for Blyth’ car battery plant with the building of Europes largest data centre in the river Blyth estuary, has led Environmental groups demanding to see follow up plans to ensure the North-east isnt dogged by power cuts following completion of this project.

Worries that Reform UK’s recent growth in the river Blyth estuary area may continue for a prolonged period and their manifesto promises leaning directly towards bringing net zero schemes to a grinding halt has numerous environmental groups asking when issuing planning permission for a £10Bn series of energy hungry data units what advice were councillors who made these decision given. Also were the backup energy plans to alleviate future problems for local residents offered up to those decision makers at County Hall in Morpeth if not why not.

Energy use isn't the only problem environmental groups have commented on; This £10bn project in Northumberland is projected to emit as much carbon dioxide as Birmingham Airport, with emissions expected to reach 184,160 tonnes annually. Martha Dark from Foxglove stated: "It is difficult to see how the Government plans to reach its manifesto commitment of hitting net zero by 2050 when it is approving construction projects that add the impact of a major regional airport to our emissions." Despite concerns, Northumberland County Council approved the project, which will significantly increase the county's emissions.

Northumberland County Council’s leader Glen Sanderson has recently quoted his Council's need to recoup site preparation costs through the sale of this site complete with planning permission. 

Blyth residents need to ask if they wish to support this massive polluter on their doorsteps and wether the pollution increase will be offset by Labours net zero projects such as offshore wind which currently supports 700 jobs in the Town or if they will increasingly support reform uk and do as much damage to Blyth as was administered by Margaret Thatcher when she closed Bates pit, ironically sited directly opposite the new Data Centre site.