We moved to the serene and picturesque area of Buckhurst Hill mainly because of its status as a conservation green belt. However, this might be short-lived if plans to build a 25m high Data Centre in the middle of  New Barns Farm (off Roding Lane) are approved.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) protects green belt areas unless there are "very special circumstances". I personally don't see how creating 750 jobs for a very limited time whilst causing the irreversible destruction of a precious green belt that has been protected land for over 70 years constitutes "very special circumstances", and I am bemused as to how the council could even consider this planning proposal.

In addition to destroying the landscape, a 25m high noisy fuel guzzling data centre will create a constant noise polluting hum 24 hours a day which will massively impact nearby homes. This development would also irrevocably disturb local ecosystems, displacing the wildlife that call it home. 

As this summer's relentless water supply issues have proved (including thousands of local homes having no running water on some of the hottest days of the year, and a summer-long hose pipe ban) we don't appear to have the infrastructure in place in this area to support the energy demands of a centre of this scale (noting that a medium to large scale data centre can consume up to a million litres of water per day, the equivalent to the water consumption of around 10,000 households). This colossal energy consumption would undoubtedly impact families and households across the whole of Chigwell and the surrounding areas.

There is also the inevitable depreciation of house values as prospective buyers seek the tranquillity that once defined Chigwell, Buckhurst Hill and surrounding areas. The data centre threatens to transform this area from a peaceful, nature-rich community into an industrial zone. 

The local councillors should be fighting to protect our green belts and encouraging these developments on brownfield sites in need of redevelopment. Our goal is not to reject technological progress but to encourage it in harmony with our natural milieu. Alternative sites for such developments must be explored—areas less critical to wildlife and devoid of the commitments tied to conservation efforts.

Local governments need to prioritise sustainable development that respects the environmental and social fabric of their communities. Chigwell's green belt is precious and should be protected from industrial encroachment. We must stand together to preserve this unique and vital ecological area for future generations.

Join me in urging local authorities and developers to reconsider this plan. Sign this petition to help stop the construction of the data centre in Chigwell's green belt. Together, we can safeguard our environment and way of life.