A proposed moratorium on applications to build AI data centers in Edinburgh will not be enforceable, city officials have warned councilors.
Councilors have called on local authorities to investigate the practicality of blocking new applications to build data centres, amid growing concerns over their ‘green’ status.
Gareth Burwell, the council’s current director, advised that any attempt to stop the application was dangerous. “It’s impossible.” Developers can appeal to the Scottish Government over local authorities.
The Scottish and UK governments are actively seeking to attract investment in ‘green’ data centres, with Edinburgh playing a central role, to support the UK’s ambitions to become an ‘AI superpower’. However, concerns are growing about the impact data centers have on the environment after the Scottish Government refused to provide a definition for what makes a data center ‘green’.
Councilors are expected to discuss Mr Burwell’s advice at Wednesday’s local government planning committee meeting.
What is a “green” data center? That’s a good question. Data centers are vast warehouses that house the servers needed for streaming, social media, and AI. There are moves to significantly expand the UK network to support the expected explosion in demand due to the expansion of AI. The “green” part is not very clear. The Scottish Government acknowledges that a country’s environmental credentials can vary widely depending on factors such as whether it uses “renewable energy sources, utilizes energy efficient technologies, seeks to minimize water consumption and supports the reuse of excess heat”.
Does this mean we will be hit with a ton of data center applications? no. Although these rules apply to a small number of proposals in the city, their sheer size is one reason why there is so much concern. The two proposed for Edinburgh are huge warehouses on the outskirts of the city with a combined demand of more than 400 MW, enough to power more than a million homes.
What is planned for the city? The only application currently active is for 24 hectares of land adjacent to Heriot-Watt University’s Riccarton campus in the city’s west. Developer Apatula is driving a series of similar plans across the UK, including West Calder in West Lothian. However, Shelbourne Asset Management is widely expected to appeal against the refusal of plans to build a similar facility in South Gyle in February. Councilors voted to abandon the application, against the advice of planning authorities, citing environmental concerns.
What can Congress do? Councilors must judge planning applications on their merits against guidelines set by the Scottish Government. Otherwise, you risk having your decision overturned on appeal. In practice, this means data center plans can be rejected on environmental grounds, but it is unclear to what extent the Scottish Government’s planning correspondents will support data center plans.
What happens next? Councilors are scheduled to discuss advice from officials at Wednesday’s planning committee meeting. They are thought to be likely to accept that the suspension is not legally enforceable, but will debate whether the council can set its own standards for what makes a data center “green.” This could help city councilors enforce higher environmental standards on future applications. But city officials oppose this, saying it would be time-consuming and potentially ineffective. They point out that developers who are refused permission can be appealed to the Scottish Government, which has no obligation to abide by the rules set by councils.
the green party says: Green Party councilor Alice Mumford, who proposed a moratorium until the Scottish Government provides guidelines, said: herald: “We think the council is absolutely right to do everything within its powers to challenge the assumption that the potential positives of data centers will outweigh the ever-growing list of negatives.”
Dear Clean Place: Edinburgh has overtaken Glasgow in terms of ratings. The cleanest of Scotland’s citiesaccording to the latest per-parliamentary data. The capital’s streets received a 92.8 per cent clean rating based on the Local Environmental Management System (LEAMS), which is used to assess the performance of local authorities. This is 10 per cent higher than Glasgow’s current rating and Edinburgh’s own performance five years ago.
cycle of success: The city’s Voi e-bike rental scheme is the most popular company in Europe. Number of trips per day per bike. Approximately 53,500 users have submitted nearly 550,000 hints about the more than 200 bicycles currently on the city’s streets. The scheme will be expanded again to Portobello, Cramond, Gorgie and Daly before the festival in August.
Taxi from head office to aparthotel: The Capital Cars offices on Gorgie Road are to be demolished to make way for a £7.5m aparthotel. SDR properties Planning permission has been obtained A 23-unit aparthotel, a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, will be built on the site and will include a reception area.
luxury let: The owners of East Lothian’s luxury golf course and holiday complex Archerfield are considering converting their offices in Charlotte Square into luxury holiday homes, said Kevin Doyle, whose Caledonian Heritables owns dozens of pubs, including The Dome. Planning permission has been applied for Convert the townhouse into a four-bedroom property with a wine cellar and cigar room. Neighbors will include Prime Minister John Swinney, who is in his official residence, Bute House.
mckins away: Hearts are looking for a new manager after Derek McInnes succeeds captain and top scorer Lawrence Shankland Agreed to contract with Rangers. The twin defeats are the first big test of the club’s new data-driven approach under the direction of major investor and Brighton FC owner Tony Bloom.
king’s honor: Dr Anne Matheson (CBE), former keeper of the National Library of Scotland. Debbie-Ann Henderson, yard manager at Tower Farm Riding School in Riverton, and adaptive cycling promoter Roy Michael Thomas (both MBE) were among those from Edinburgh named in the King’s Birthday honours. scottish has been published Complete list of local recipients.
collision arrest: Two teenagers were treated in hospital after a car crashed into a vacant commercial property on Crewe Road North at West Granton Road early Thursday morning. A 17-year-old man was driving a black Fiat 500. Arrested on suspicion of theft.
Scotland Loves Local Week, which encourages people to support local businesses, is calling on people to help boost Scotland’s economy by more than £280 million.
Research for Scottish Urban Partnerships – This week’s host – If everyone could achieve this by spending just an extra £1 a week in their local shops and businesses.
The campaign was launched by STV weather forecaster Shaun Batty in the East Lothian town of North Berwick, and was joined by food and drink producers from across the county at the monthly North Berwick Harbor Market.
“Where you spend your money matters.”: STP chairman Professor Lee Sparkes said: “The choices people make about where and with which companies they spend their money really matter. These are decisions that will make a significant difference to Scotland’s local and national economy.”
“Every Scottish citizen can help make our country stronger, fairer and more prosperous by supporting local businesses more often. Local businesses spend more of their money in other local businesses, strengthening relationships, communities and the economy. The simple step of putting local first can make a big difference.”
“Scotland has an incredible range of local businesses, from unique independent shops and producers to breathtaking tourist attractions. Every penny spent with them supports local jobs and is a vital investment in the future of our communities.”
“Regionalism is at the heart of Scotland’s national economic growth.”
That’s the beauty: Global beauty retailer Sephora will open its first Scottish store in Edinburgh’s St James’s Quarter next month. The store is scheduled to open on Thursday, July 9th. Anne Ledgerwood, St James’s Quarter estate director, described Sephora as an “iconic global beauty brand” and said the opening reflected the center’s position as “the nation’s leading retail destination”.
Suitable for growth: Fitness Equipment Specialist Pinnacle Fitness Expanding based in Edinburgh To Fife. The company has opened a new 32,000 sq ft head office and remanufacturing facility in Dalgety Bay, significantly increasing its ability to expand as customer demand continues to rise across the UK.
Next generation help: Heriot-Watt University has welcomed Gemma Stewart, founder of health start-up Got Wealth, and former founder and angel investor Jessica Mullen as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence to help scale up Scotland’s next generation of start-ups and strengthen links between academia, industry and investors.
be proud: March from the Houses of Parliament to Brist Square, dance to Cher Lloyd, shop at the Queer Creative Market – take your pick. pride edinburgh It gets lively from noon on Saturday.
water treat: The capital’s canals will come back to life on Saturday. Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Races. Lochlin Basin, Remington Lift Bridge, Fountainbridge Green and Harrison Park will feature live music, family activities and water activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
highland show: of royal highland show It returns to the Ingliston showground from Thursday to Sunday. Expect Highland beef, food and drink, and long lines.
Enhancement: Street band Brass Blast are celebrating 10 years of making captivating music with a mini-festival at Portobello Town Hall on Saturday. brassed up From 5pm to 10pm, the lineup features Samson Sounds, Golden Grooves Street Collective, Oi Musica and more.
Flat growth: toscanoFollowing a successful first year in Bruntsfield, the company known for its Tuscan schiacciata (flatbread) sandwiches has opened a new city center location on Blair Street. The owners hope to open several more city sites this year.
Buon’s appetite: Bonnie & Wilde, an innovative food hall in Edinburg St James, is now one of Glasgow’s iconic eateries. Restaurant & Deli Eusebi has opened a bakery counter selling a range of famous desserts and pastries, including its signature strawberry tart.
