31 Mar 2009

Plans submitted for £800m data centre

A Scottish firm has lodged plans for a multi-million pound data centre which will create up to 1,000 jobs.

Lockerbie Data Centres has submitted blueprints for the £800 million Peelhouses Farm project in Dumfries and Galloway.

The new development will include a 20,000 sq ft business park and up to 750 new homes.

David King, project director at the company, says local residents have been supportive of the plans so far.

"We want to provide something encouraging for Lockerbie, with the support of the council, that will put Dumfries and Galloway firmly on the map as world leaders in data provision," he explains.

The facility will be built in partnership with the Carbon Trust, Energy Saving Trust and the Building Research Establishment, while utilising local energy-efficient resources such as a biomass plant.

A primary school, community hall and sports facility will also be part of the development, which is scheduled to take ten years to build.