London - December 16, 2025 - Google has secured planning approval to build a large-scale data centre on the site of the former North Weald Airfield in Essex, marking a major expansion of its UK cloud and AI infrastructure.
The decision by Epping Forest District Council clears the way for a multi-phase development that is expected to generate hundreds of local jobs and contribute tens of millions of pounds to the regional economy.
The approved plans encompass two data centre facilities across a 52-acre site, accompanied by supporting infrastructure including offices, access roads, and parking. Existing buildings on the former RAF airfield will be demolished to make way for modern, energy-efficient construction designed to meet high-density computing requirements.
Google’s UK subsidiary, Global Infrastructure UK Ltd, submitted the application earlier this year, emphasising the site’s suitability for hyperscale cloud operations due to its remote location and existing utility connections.
Local authorities noted that the project could support up to 780 direct jobs during operations and is forecast to deliver approximately GBP 79 million (USD 105.93 million) annually to the local economy, with wider national economic benefits estimated at GBP 319 million (USD 427.78 million) per year.
Councillors expressed support for the project, highlighting the economic opportunities, though some local residents raised concerns about potential disruption to the North Weald Market and the surrounding community.
The development is part of Google’s broader strategy to expand its cloud footprint in Europe, ensuring that data centre capacity keeps pace with demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and content delivery services. The Essex site will join Google’s growing portfolio of UK data centres, which already includes facilities in London and other strategic locations. According to reports, construction is expected to begin soon after site preparation, with phased operational commencement anticipated from 2027 onward.
Google has committed to incorporating energy-efficient design and renewable energy sourcing in the project, reflecting both corporate sustainability goals and local planning requirements. Advanced cooling systems and sustainable drainage are integral to the facility’s design, aiming to minimise environmental impact while maintaining reliable, high-performance operations for data-intensive workloads.
Analysts say the approval underscores the continued expansion of hyperscale cloud infrastructure in the UK and demonstrates how tech giants are repurposing former industrial and military sites to meet growing demand for secure, low-latency data centre capacity.
By leveraging a combination of strategic site selection, planning compliance, and sustainability measures, Google aims to establish a facility that supports both regional development and next-generation digital services.
