£1.3bn Basildon Data Centre secures planning

Create was appointed by Caineal LLP in October 2024 to deliver a Utilities Assessment in support of an Outline Planning Application for a proposed data centre and associated infrastructure in Basildon, Essex. The £1.3bn development has now secured approval, with Basildon Council’s planning committee resolving to grant permission on Thursday 26th September 2025.

Located on a greenfield site of approximately 7.2 hectares, the 26,000sqm AI Data Centre itself will occupy land adjacent to the A127 and Old Nevendon Road in Wickford. The wider site also includes the creation of a 34-acre Local Nature Reserve to the east. Representing one of the largest private investments in Basildon’s history, construction is expected to generate more than 600 local jobs.

Create’s Utilities team prepared the assessment, evaluating the viability of connecting essential services to the site. This involved identifying the capacity of existing networks and any reinforcement or upgrades required, in consultation with multiple providers including Anglian Water, BT, Cadent, Virgin Media, Sky, CityFibre, and UK Power Networks.

“From the initial website enquiry through to this recent planning success, we have greatly valued working alongside John Bourne and the team at Caineal LLP, as well Lawson Planning Partnership Ltd. We are proud to have played a role in positioning Basildon as a centre for the UK’s AI revolution. Data centres are critical to the long-term success of the UK economy, and Create is well positioned to support developers nationwide with the technical expertise and reports needed to progress through planning.”

Jonathan Cage, Managing Director

The data centre will deliver state-of-the-art facilities in a strategically connected location, helping to meet the UK’s growing demand for digital infrastructure.

Create is proud to have supported Caineal LLP, ARC:MC, and Lawson Planning Partnership Ltd in progressing this nationally significant project through planning and is thrilled to see it secure approval. Looking ahead, we will continue to provide specialist advice and technical services to the development.