Ebbsfleet

AI Data Centre Campus

A nationally significant data centre project supporting UK digital resilience and providing regional opportunities.

Clearstone is in the early stages of developing a new AI data centre campus that will deliver critical digital infrastructure in a location that is well placed to support and benefit from the next phase of Britain’s growing digital economy.

EBBSFLEET AI DATA CENTRE CAMPUS SITE LAYOUT PLAN

We are currently undertaking early land and ecological surveys to determine the proposed site layout and cable routes to the Northfleet East substation.

Further details will be made available as plans progress both on this website and as part of a series of consultation events and workshops that will be held with the local community.

THE NEED FOR DATA CENTRES

Data centres enable a wide range of everyday services such as online communication, cloud computing, and content streaming. They also underpin the delivery of digital services that are fundamental to sectors from financial services to the health service.

Their importance is only expected to increase as they drive the future digital economy by powering AI tools and digital finance.

As a result, they are key enablers of growth, job creation, and economic output. Bolstering UK data centre capacity is expected to create 40,200 additional direct operational jobs by 2035 as well as 18,200 additional direct construction jobs over 2025–2035.

As well as creating home-grown economic opportunities, building data centres in the UK is essential to reducing our reliance on overseas data storage and processing. By strengthening our data sovereignty in this way, we can ensure that the digital services we rely on are delivered in the UK, for the UK.

Data centres drive technologies that are fundamental to sectors from the health service to financial services, from the databases that store patient records to the systems that enable online banking. They also allow us to message family and friends, stream video and audio content, store photos, and carry out countless other everyday online activities that depend on data sharing and storage.

LOCATION

The Ebbsfleet AI Data Centre Campus will comprise a 90 acre (36-hectare) data centre development within a 145 acre (58-hectare) site on the edge of north Kent, near the Dartford and Gravesham border.

The location has been chosen due to its ability to provide the land, power, high speed connectivity and talent pool needed to deliver the next generation of AI based applications.

PROPOSALS

The cornerstone of the campus will be a scalable AI data centre with a 300MW power connection. The data centre buildings are expected to have a footprint of approximately 60,000m² with up to 180,000m² total floor space. These buildings will be set within carefully designed landscaping that will provide visual screening and support biodiversity gains.

Taking a modular approach, with data centre infrastructure split across a number of smaller buildings, will provide the flexibility to evolve alongside future technologies and uses as the site develops to meet digital demand.

The proposal includes an identified development area to the east of the site – shaded red on the illustrated map – where the data centre buildings will be located. This land is currently occupied primarily by polytunnels, some of which will remain in place – those outside of the red shaded area.

VALUE

Our economic modelling consultants have forecast that the site has the potential to generate as many as 600 construction roles and 400 additional roles once operations begin.

They have also predicted that it could contribute as much as £50 million in annual GVA to the economy with direct benefits to the local economy in Dartford and the surrounding regions.

We will support these new roles being filled by the local community through partnerships with local skills providers. Our goal is to create clear pathways for local people to access and benefit from careers in technology and related services.

In addition to providing local economic value, we are committed to ensuring the local community has an opportunity to shape and benefit from the site.

Around two fifths of the proposed site sits outside of the identified development zone. We are committed to retaining the existing public footpaths that cross this section of the site and will gain input through upcoming public consultations to understand what other community benefits could be delivered through this land.

LOCAL BENEFITS

Ebbsfleet AI Data Centre Campus represents an opportunity to drive investment and growth in Dartford and the surrounding region.

Long-term employment

Over the 3-year build period, an average of 750 workers are expected to be required on site each year, including local recruitment of up to 650 workers relative to availability. There is then expected to be a further 420 net additional on-site jobs once the campus is operational including operation and maintenance teams and auxiliary services such as security and cleaning roles.

Meaningful local value

The facility will also be carefully considered and shaped through ongoing engagement and community co-design to ensure it delivers meaningful local value alongside its role boosting national data centre capabilities.

Skills and career pathways

We are working with local stakeholders to build a shared campus space that will create opportunities for skills development, pathways into digital and energy careers, and support a future workforce so that Dartford benefits from the new AI and digital economy.

Connected community spaces

The scheme will include accessible open spaces, including improved connectivity such as footpaths, and we will explore opportunities for co-located workspace that supports local enterprise. In this way, it will function as part of a wider campus environment and a hub of opportunity for the local area.

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY

We recognise that, as with any new development, the local community will have concerns about potential impacts on the environment, local landscape, traffic and utilities such as water and electricity.

Our approach is rooted in minimising impact and maintaining transparency throughout the consultation process.

Extensive ecological surveys will ensure that environmental impacts are understood and minimised.

The development will make use of the latest technology to increase energy efficiency and reduce water usage.

Building design will be landscape-led, taking account of the site’s topography, existing natural features and buffer zones, including surrounding woodland.

Extensive consultation and co-design with the local community will be central to the planning process, ensuring that local views, concerns and priorities are understood and considered as the plans evolve. This engagement will help shape the design and mitigation measures, supporting a development that responds to the local area and to the needs of the community.