Protecting Our Chalk Streams from the Threat of Data Centres

The digital economy is growing at an extraordinary pace, bringing new levels of convenience to every area of our lives. Yet behind every online search, AI query and cloud-based service sits a growing network of data centres.

While these facilities underpin the development of the global economy, we cannot ignore their environmental footprint. Data centres require enormous resources to operate, placing increasing pressure on local infrastructure, energy networks and water supplies. Too often, communities bear the environmental costs while the economic rewards flow elsewhere.

As a country, we need the capacity to support new technologies, attract investment and create skilled jobs. But if data centres are to play a bigger role in our economy, they must be developed responsibly, sustainably and with local communities at the heart of decision-making.

Here in West Berkshire, these concerns are particularly acute because of our precious chalk streams.

Chalk streams are globally rare habitats, with around 85% of the world's total found in England. The River Kennet and its tributaries are not only an important part of our local environment, but they also support wildlife, attract visitors and form an essential part of the area's natural heritage. Yet these waterways are already under significant pressure from pollution, over-abstraction, and climate change.

Adding major additional demands on our water systems in regions already under stress will only make the situation worse. That is why I wrote to the Minister about this. Residents are rightly concerned about river levels, water shortages, and the long-term health of local ecosystems. Before any new data centre development is approved, there must be complete transparency about water consumption, environmental impacts, and how those impacts will be mitigated.

Communities should not be asked to sacrifice their natural environment so that global technology companies can expand their digital infrastructure.

That is why Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to introduce stronger requirements for data centre developments. If these facilities are to become major pieces of national infrastructure, they must also deliver meaningful local benefits.

One obvious opportunity is waste heat. Data centres generate huge amounts of heat as a by-product of their operations, and too often that energy is simply lost. Operators should be required to connect to district heating networks wherever possible, allowing homes, businesses and public buildings to benefit from low-cost heat. Where that is not practical, innovative solutions should be explored to recover energy and create wider community value.

The principle is simple: if a community hosts major infrastructure, it should see tangible benefits in return.

Data centres will be an important part of Britain's future economy. But they must operate within environmental limits, contribute to local prosperity and protect the communities that host them.

For West Berkshire, that means safeguarding our chalk streams, protecting our water resources and ensuring that future development genuinely gives something back to local people. Growth should work for communities, not happen at their expense.