Protect Wester Hermiston: Demand Proper Scrutiny of One of Scotland's Largest Proposed Data Centres

We are calling on the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government to ensure that the proposed Wester Hermiston Hyperscale Data Centre receives the full scrutiny that a development of this scale deserves.

The proposed facility could occupy more than 30 hectares of greenfield land at Wester Hermiston and consume around 200MW of electricity, making it one of the largest industrial developments of its kind ever proposed in Scotland.

This campaign is not about opposing technology, investment, or digital infrastructure. 

It is about ensuring that major decisions affecting local communities, the environment, and future generations are based on transparent evidence and thorough assessment.

• Why Residents Are Concerned
• Loss of Valuable Greenfield Land
• The proposed development would be built on productive prime agricultural land within the Gogar landscape area.
• Once this land is covered by buildings, roads, and hardstanding, it is effectively lost for generations.

Unanswered Questions About Water Demand

• Large data centres require very large cooling infrastructure.

Residents are still seeking clear information about:

• Water demand
• Cooling systems
• Supply arrangements
• Long-term resilience during periods of drought or water stress
• Energy Infrastructure Impacts
• The proposed facility is expected to require a substantial electricity supply

Important questions remain regarding:

• Grid infrastructure requirements
• Supporting energy infrastructure
• Cumulative impacts alongside other major developments
• Long-term implications for West Edinburgh
• Noise, Air Quality and Backup Generation
• Data centres rely on backup power systems to ensure continuous operation.

Local communities deserve clear information regarding:

• Generator testing
• Operational noise
• Air quality impacts
• Potential effects on nearby homes, schools and recreational areas

Impact on the Union Canal Corridor

• The site lies adjacent to one of West Edinburgh's most valued recreational and heritage assets.

Residents want assurance that the canal's landscape setting, biodiversity, tranquillity, and public enjoyment are fully considered before any decision is made.

What We Are Asking For

We are calling for:

• Full transparency regarding water, energy and cooling requirements
• Robust assessment of environmental and infrastructure impacts
• Proper consideration of cumulative effects alongside other developments
• Meaningful public scrutiny before decisions are taken
• Evidence-based planning consistent with National Planning Framework 4
• Major developments should not proceed on assumptions.
• Before decisions are made, local communities deserve clear answers.

If you believe developments of this scale should be subject to thorough environmental scrutiny, please sign and share this petition.

Together, we can help ensure that the future of Wester Hermiston is decided through a transparent, evidence-based planning process.

Sign this petition to protect Wester Hermiston and its surrounding environment from irreversible damage. Our community and future generations depend on it.