The rapid rise in AI technology over the last 4 years has generated an increase in data centres across the UK. However, this growth has come at a significant cost to our communities, environment, and agricultural landscapes.

Currently, there's no strict legislation in the UK that mandates a sufficient buffer zone between these massive industrial complexes and our homes, schools, or community spaces. As a result, many residents are forced to live adjacent to these facilities, which often lead to increased noise, light pollution, and traffic congestion.

Moreover, the environmental impact is undeniable. Data centres require vast quantities of water and electricity, often sourced from the local grid, which can put significant strain on local resources.

Building these centres on farmland not only displaces agriculture, thus threatening food security, but it also disrupts local ecosystems, further endangering wildlife and valuable natural resources.

We want UK planning laws for data centres revised: 1/ to include a mandatory 5-mile exclusion zone around residential areas for any new data centre construction. This will ensure local communities are shielded from the disturbances typically associated with these facilities. 2/ to prohibit the development of data centres on farmland and within rural landscapes. Such measures will reinforce our commitment to protecting nature, biodiversity, and agricultural productivity.

By supporting this petition, you will help ensure that the growth of our digital infrastructure does not come at the expense of our environment and quality of life. It's crucial that we advocate for responsible planning and sustainable development that respects both people and the planet.

Please sign this petition to call upon local councils and the UK Parliament to take decisive action now, securing our countryside and future. Together, we can achieve a more balanced and sustainable approach to digital infrastructure expansion.