Brian Leishman MP: Cross-parliament work on AI data centres

Earlier in September, our communities in and around Larbert had the chance to breathe a sigh of relief after the Scottish Parliament voted for an amended motion to halt hyperscale data centre planning decisions until further guidance is published. 

 Labour MSPs were well involved in that debate, and I would like to thank them for their work on this hugely important issue. 

While planning does not come under my jurisdiction, I will always listen to my constituents. The concerns from the communities I am so fortunate to represent was loud and clear. 

People are rightly worried about the plans for a large 300MW data centre in Larbert, close to a care home, a nursery, residential properties and of course, Forth Valley Royal Hospital which serves more than 300,000 people. 

 One of the ways I continue to be involved is by working with Labour MSP colleagues, such as Jenny Young who since being elected in May this year, has been a fantastic advocate for Central Scotland and Lothians West. 

 Jenny and I both became aware that despite the vote at Holyrood in September, Falkirk Council’s Planning Department is set to go ahead and determine the application regardless – in lieu of updated guidance from the Scottish Government. 

 This is incredibly worrying for communities and campaigners, who have come together to unite their voices in opposition to this dreadful proposal. 

 Inside and outside of Westminster, I have highlighted their numerous concerns, including the imposing size and scale of the development, worries over air quality especially when back-up generators are tested regularly, fears over noise – including infrasound – the heat generated, the lack of jobs considering its size, the proximity to residential property and healthcare facilities and much more. 

And the general concerns around AI and what it means for the future would be worth an article own its own. 

Working with Scottish Labour MSP colleagues, we will apply more pressure together and I was delighted when Jenny Young was called during First Minister’s Questions on October 27. 

She asked the Deputy First Minister whether she is aware that despite the vote, some councils are still progressing with determinations, and asked whether the Scottish Government is prepared to step in to ensure no decisions are taken before updated guidance is published. 

At the time of writing this week, despite that important intervention, and to my best knowledge, Falkirk Council is still planning to go ahead with a determination before a current extension on the decision runs out on November 13. 

It is also my understanding that officers are considering whether a further extension would be possible. But any extension at this point can only be agreed with the applicant. 

Ultimately, the SNP Government need to step up to ensure the will of the Scottish Parliament is delivered and ensure no hyperscale data centre planning decisions are taken before this new guidance is put in place. 

As your MP, I will always work cross-parliament with Scottish Labour MSP colleagues to effectively represent the concerns and needs of the people we are so privileged to represent.