The Edinburgh City Council has decisively quashed plans for a large-scale, eco-conscious AI datacenter despite receiving a green light from city planners. The proposed facility, intended for the former Royal Bank of Scotland site in South Gyle, promised renewable energy integration and support for AI workloads.

Despite endorsements from city planners, the project faced substantial opposition from environmental activists and local campaigners, who voiced concerns over emissions and the appropriateness of the site for such a development. The proposal was backed by Shelborn Asset Management and aimed to provide significant computing capacity, positioning itself as one of the largest in Scotland. Green credentials were highlighted, with new cooling technology and promises of community green spaces.

Environmental campaign groups, like Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS), celebrated the council’s decision as a pivotal moment against large-scale infrastructure projects. Dr. Kat Jones from APRS emphasized the lack of clear criteria for defining what constitutes a ‘green datacenter’. She advocated for halting further approvals until environmental considerations are better understood.

The council’s decision reflects increasing tension between local objectives and national ambitions to enhance digital infrastructure, marking another instance of heightened scrutiny on AI datacenter projects in the UK. The balance between fostering AI advancements and maintaining local development priorities remains challenging, with local councils urging more careful consideration of environmental impacts.