City to review AI data centre decision amid environmental concerns

Plus: University scientists in AI breakthrough and major development on cards at Sheriffhall

Council to review green light for massive AI data centre

How the ‘green’ data centre at Edinburgh Park might look. Image: Shelborn Asset Management

The city council is to review its decision that a huge data centre planned for the edge of Edinburgh does not require an environmental impact assessment.

The Edinburgh Park data centre is one of two proposed for the Capital which would together use enough energy to power more than a million homes. The facilities are a key part of the UK’s ambitions to power up its AI capabilities with Edinburgh as a central player, but campaigners have raised concerns about their potential impact on the environment.

The city council had ruled that neither of the centres would need an environmental impact assessment before being granted planning permission.

But following protests by campaigners the local authority has confirmed it intends to review its decision relating to Shelborn Asset Management’s plans for the Edinburgh Park centre. It is not clear whether the decision on the other centre, on greenbelt land near Currie, close to the National Robotarium and Heriot Watt University, will be reviewed as well.

Why so much concern? The main worries about the data centres are their use of vast quantities of water for cooling and high CO2 emissions. Shelborn estimates the Edinburgh Park centre could generate more than 200,000 tonnes of C02 a year, which is reportedly similar to that of Edinburgh Airport.

Why is the UK Government so keen? The UK is trailing behind the US in adopting AI and the Government is determined to close the gap. AI is a key part of its plans to grow the UK economy and create high-value jobs. Scotland is one of the UK’s “AI growth zones” with Edinburgh at its centre.

What’s in it for Edinburgh? The two data centres are expected to involve £2-3bn investment, creating around 1,000 permanent jobs in the Capital and adding around £400m a year to the city-region economy.

The critics say: Green city councillor Chas Booth says: “These proposals must receive proper scrutiny and transparency. People have the right to know when there is a site on their doorstep guzzling energy and water, and authorities need to factor this in to any approval request.”

The developer says: Shelborn says it will create a “green data centre” with “100% green power generated off site” and measures to minimise its carbon footprint.

The council says: A city council spokesperson said: “Taking into account the views raised, it’s our intention to rescreen to determine whether an environmental impact assessment statement is required. It wouldn’t be appropriate therefore to comment further at this stage.”

What happens next? The council will have to rule on planning applications for the two data centres. Including an environmental impact assessment would ensure their water usage, carbon footprint and potential mitigations are at the centre of the decision-making process.

YOUR EDINBURGH BRIEFING

AI BREAKTHROUGH: Scientists at Edinburgh University’s School of Informatics have developed a system which could help AI draw conclusions from data 10 times faster. The discovery, which could dramatically improve the operating speed of large language models (LLMs), is based on advancements in miniscule, wafer-scale computer chips.

GUN JAILING: A man who used a metal detector to try to find a handgun hidden in undergrowth on the Roseburn Path has been jailed for six years and nine months. Liam McDermid, 25, admitted being involved in serious and organised crime after a police surveillance operation caught him trying to retrieve the semi-automatic Glock pistol and 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

SHERIFFHALL DEVELOPMENT: A 60-acre site next to the Sheriffhall roundabout is being marketed for sale as a significant commercial development opportunity. Property consultancy CBRE has been appointed by Lowe Dalkeith Farms to sell the farm land which is expected to attract interest from transport companies. The roundabout is due to be upgraded to deal with growing traffic levels, but progress on the project has stalled.

TOURISM WINNERS: Edinburgh Zoo, the Book Festival and a five-star tour guide are among the Edinburgh winners at the Scottish Thistle Awards, the nation’s visitor economy Oscars. Edinburgh Zoo picked up the Climate Action Award, the Book Festival was named the Outstanding Cultural Event and Hugh Mackay of city-based Highland Experience Tours was crowned the industry’s Rising Star after picking up more than 150 individual five-star reviews.

FOLK LEGEND’S FIGHT: Folk music legend Dick Gaughan has been talking to The Guardian about his fight to regain the rights to much of his music. “To find that the music I made, that I put a lot of work into, is just not available – it’s like your life isn’t available,” he says. The 77-year-old, who grew up in Leith, not only hopes to make swathes of his own music available digitally for the first time, but to establish a principle which would help other artists regain control of their work.

JUDGE HONOURED: The first woman to hold the office of Lord Justice Clerk – Scotland’s second most senior judge – it to receive an honorary degree. Edinburgh-born Lady Dorrian, who retired earlier this year, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws from St Andrews University on December 3.

GOLF HOTEL PROTECTED: The owner of East Lothian’s prestigious Archerfield Estate and Edinburgh Filmhouse has been refused permission to demolish the landmark Golf Hotel in North Berwick. Caledonian Heritable wanted to knock it down and replace it with 14 flats, arguing it was “totally unsuitable for the modern hotel market”. However, a Scottish Government Planning Reporter has overturned East Lothian Council’s decision to grant planning permission, following an objection from Historic Environment Scotland.

FRAUD RECOVERY: The city council is working to recover £1.36 million lost to fraud in the past year. A report to the council’s finance committee says the fraud, detected by council staff, includes rates evasion, benefits fraud, and the misuse of blue badge placards.

Pic of the week

The National Portrait Gallery is getting into the Christmas spirit

THE BUSINESS

Businesses planning for good growth

Around 200 city businesses are to attend the Edinburgh Business Festival on Friday to look at “Fuelling Good Economic Growth.”

The event, organised by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Royal Bank of Scotland, is being held at the bank’s conference centre at Gogarburn.

High on the agenda will be the transition to the next stage of the business-led Local Growth Plan being developed by business leaders convened by the Chamber under its Call to Action – an actionable, deliverable and measurable plan to fuel growth.

National and local leaders will engage in keynote speeches, workshops and panel discussions to look at how business can help shape the city’s economic future to help provide jobs, opportunities and greater funding for essential local services.

START-UP STAR: Edinburgh is the best city in Scotland to start a business, according to a new study by a company which specialises in small business insurance. The survey of UK businesses by Markel Direct analysed 46 of the UK’s largest cities across a range of factors including business closure rates and five-year start up survival, with Scotland’s Capital coming in seventh in the UK and top in Scotland.

DISTILLER SAVED: Eden Mill, the distillers who are former sponsor partners of Hibernian FC, Scottish Rugby and Celtic, have been rescued from administration, saving the jobs of all 42 staff. Administrators Begbies Traynor have secured a buyer, Dundee-based investment business Ruby Capital. The administrators also praised the business’ landlords, St Andrews University, for their part in the process.

OFFICE DEAL: MCR Property Group has bought the 6.5 acre Broadway Park in South Gyle, Edinburgh. The park has four three-storey office buildings totalling more than 147,000 sq ft of accommodation.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

BEYOND ART: More than 700 masterpieces by two of history’s most influential artists, from The Starry Night to Water Lilies, brought to life as an immersive experience. Beyond Van Gogh & Beyond Monet: An Immersive Experience is at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, from Saturday until 2 January. Tickets £23-£46.

STAGE FRIGHT: Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith bring their sell-out West End hit Inside No 9 Stage/Fright to the Edinburgh Playhouse. Expect the unexpected as the BBC TV series is brought to the stage, from tomorrow until Saturday.

BEATING THE BLUES: The Soundhouse Winterfest is back for a second year with organisers promising a long weekend that is “heartwarming, life affirming and a great antidote to the November blues.” Starting on Thursday, the jazz and folk festival includes performances from Scottish Jazz Vocalist of the Year Niki King, brand new music from folk musician Cahalen Morrison, and an all-level workshop in improvisation from cellist Simone Seales.

QUICK BITES

BOMBAY BISTRO: An award-winning former Gleaneagles Hotel chef is open for bookings for a new Indian fusion restaurant in Bruntsfield. Mandeep Saini, known for his Bombay Club Sunday Feast at Gleneagles, has taken over the premises formerly home to Tom Kitchin’s Kora. Expect dishes like Haggis Tikki and Sirloin Boti at the new venue called Bombay Bistro.

POOCH-FRIENDLY CAFÉ: A new dog-friendly café, Fourdish, at 223 Morningside Road, is to officially open at the end of the month. Open 9am till 8pm, it’s range will include all-day breakfasts, sushi and poke bowls, desserts and soup.

SWEET DEAL: South Asian sweet brand Ambala has opened a new store in Edinburgh, at 360 Gorgie Road, giving away free boxes of traditional Indian mithai to the first 100 customers.