Rushcliffe Council Greenlights Data Centers at Old Power Station

0:00On April 9th, Rushcliffe Burrill Council is set to green my changes to the planning rules for the old Ratcliffe on SOAR power station site. The big update allows data centers on land south of the A453, shifting from the original limits in the north. This tweaks the local development order adopted back in July 2023 to speed up redevelopment as a freeport hub. These revisions come after a public consultation from late November 2025 to early January 2026, pulling in about 60 responses. Cabinet meets on April 14th, 2026 to approve them, then hands off final tweaks to officers. Fults raise worries about green bell impacts, water use, power demands, and if this fits the site's vision. Council says data centers were always on the table and moving them south keeps the big picture intact without derailing green bell plans. The south side is ready to go, unlike the north tied up in decommissioning and gypsum digs. It's perfect for AI boom needs, with solid power, water, and roads, plus data centers mean less traffic than factories and cash for upgrades.

1:07Approving this boosts investment, locks and freeport perks before they expire and keeps regeneration rolling, a full review hits later in 2026, ensuring the site's primed for what's next.