Residents fear being ‘led down garden path’ over huge data centre plans for east Durham

American developer Tract wants to build Durham Technology Park on land between South Hetton, Murton and Easington Lane, which could include up to seven main data centre buildings, internal roads, parking and an electricity substation connected to the National Grid at Hawthorn Pit.

A consultation on the plans, held on Friday (November 6) and Monday (November 9), saw concerns raised about noise, traffic, water supplies and the size of the development.

Tract says the plans are still at an early stage and residents’ feedback will help shape the proposals before they are formally submitted to Durham County Council.

But several residents who attended the consultation in South Hetton remained worried.

Ed Morrow, 68, said his daughter exchanged contracts on a new-build home close to the proposed site in July, before her family knew about the data centre plans.

He said: “My daughter’s just bought a house that isn’t built yet and it’s right next to the planned data centre.”

“We just seem to be in a situation where we can’t do anything about it.”

“We can’t believe that it was just at the end of October that people began to find out.”

Gordon Jenkins, 75, who has lived in South Hetton for 14 years, described the consultation as a “sales pitch”.

He said: “The proposals, I’m not in favour of any of these.”

Mr Jenkins said he was worried about the amount of electricity the site could use and possible noise.

He added: “We’re also told we don’t have enough infrastructure for electricity, and yet these are going to start sapping massive amounts of electricity.”

“They say they’re not, but I don’t believe that for a minute.”

Local businessman Lee Blenkinsop, 58, said the development could bring benefits if it created enough jobs, but added: “I’m not sure about the pollution and where the power’s coming from.”

Philip Dowell, 70, said residents also wanted answers about noise.

He said: “We don’t know what noise levels it’s going to give off there.”

“We’ve been here before. We’ve been led down the garden path before. They promise to do this and do that.”

“It’s the people I feel for. They’re going to live with this big massive monument of digital expertise.”

The East Durham Action Group also raised concerns about the plans, saying the data centre should be considered alongside other large energy developments across the area.

A Tract spokesperson said: “The first step in responsibly developing a project is to partner and engage with the people who live in the host community to hear and understand their priorities and concerns, and we appreciate everyone who joined us this evening to do just that.

“Durham Technology Park is at an early design stage, and what we heard tonight will help inform the proposals alongside the technical and environmental assessments required through the planning process.

“We recognise that a development of this scale raises important questions, including water, power, traffic, landscape, ecology, noise, and local opportunities.

“Our aim is to plan responsibly and ensure Murton, South Hetton and the wider East Durham area can share in the opportunities of the digital economy.”