Dozens of objections have been sent to Wiltshire Council over a proposed extension to a data centre in an area already suffering from a constant “droning” noise at night. The plans would extend the existing ultra-secure facility near Corsham further into the small village of Neston with construction on the field south of Westwells Road. According to the application, the data centres within Ark’s Spring Park Campus are used “to house critical computer systems and associated communications infrastructure crucial for the knowledge economy”.
A previous extension was recently approved on adjacent land, which generated opposition from a handful of Neston residents. READ MORE: New data centre approved at ultra-secure Corsham facility The new data centre is proposed on the field to the south east of the campus. (Image: Google) This latest application has caused far more controversy, with more than 30 comments of objection left on the application.
A large proportion of the concerns related to traffic and flooding risks. However, many residents are also worried about the increase in noise and light pollution, describing the planned building as a “monstrosity”. Cassie Reynolds wrote: “I can hear the data centres that hum through the night and it disrupts my sleep and my concern is they are not that close, this one will be right on our doorstep.
” Trudy Davies also reported being “already affected by the low hum and droning sound at night coming from the generators.”.