The new P6 data center will be the first located outside the grounds of the former Ministry of Defense complex.
Ark Data Centres, a company specializing in high-security infrastructure for critical services such as banking, telecommunications, and streaming, has defended its expansion plan by constructing a new data center—the P6—near the former Ministry of Defense site in Corsham, Wiltshire. The company assures that the project will be environmentally friendly, generate employment, and meet an unavoidable need driven by the rise of cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Rob Silvester, Ark Data Centres’ Head of Revenue, emphasized that expanding beyond the original perimeter is unavoidable. “Eventually, we have to cross the line because there’s no more space. It’s a natural step,” he explained, referring to the new building, which will occupy about half of the area known as Donkey Field, an 18-acre extension.
Currently, the company manages five data centers on the former MOD Corsham site and has approval for a sixth (P5). P6 would be the seventh and the first to be built outside the premises, a decision that has raised concerns among residents about visual impact, potential noise increases, flooding risks, and loss of green spaces.
Silvester sought to reassure neighbors by stating that the northern half of the site will remain as an ecological buffer zone, protecting bat habitats and reducing impact on nearby homes. He also confirmed that there are no plans for an eighth data center (P7) at that location.
The proposed building will stand up to 18 meters tall and stretch approximately 180 meters, located just 50 meters from the closest houses. “We know we’re fairly close to residences, so we’ve tried to create a coherent aesthetic,” Silvester explained. The design will be managed by the same architecture team that created Ark’s new data center in partnership with the exclusive Wentworth Golf Club in London.
Concerns about noise, light, and water were also addressed.
Regarding light pollution, James Smith, another team member, said that “the nighttime lighting system has been redesigned,” adding that all lights are turned off unless there is an emergency or maintenance work. “There’s no lighting at the site at night,” he affirmed.
As for flood risk, they recalled an incident from 2014 but assured that new drainage policies have been successful since then. Concerning noise, they stated that modern cooling technologies have reduced sound impact: “Since 2016, there’s been no increase in background noise levels.”
Ark Data Centres emphasized the economic benefits of the project. Construction of P6 will create hundreds of temporary jobs, and once operational, it will directly employ around 50 people, in addition to generating 90 more jobs across the supply chain. The roles range from electrical and software engineers to security, cleaning, and maintenance staff.
Construction of P5 is expected to begin within 12 to 18 months, and the company expects Wiltshire Council to begin deliberation on the P6 planning application in August.
“Data centers are drivers of growth,” Ark states.
Silvester underscored the strategic importance of these infrastructures in the new digital economy: “Public demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence is growing exponentially. That’s why the government recognizes data centers as a key economic driver. Several ministers have already called this a new industrial revolution.”
Despite local hesitations, Ark Data Centres remains committed to its expansion, arguing that this infrastructure is critical for the UK’s digital future and is being planned with environmental sensitivity.
via: gazetteandherald