• Boroughs would assess electricity, water, land, clustering and heat-recovery conditions when considering suitable locations
  • The policy remains under consultation and would not take effect until the formal adoption process is complete

The fact

The Greater London Authority has proposed a dedicated data-centre policy in the draft London Plan published on 16 July 2026. The policy asks boroughs to identify suitable locations by considering electricity and water capacity, land availability, opportunities to cluster facilities and the potential to recover waste heat.

Planning applications would also need to show that the proposed location is suitable for the facility’s scale and that effects on communities and the environment can be avoided or reduced. The policy is not yet binding. Consultation closes at 5pm on 15 October 2026, after which the Mayor may revise the draft before submitting it for examination in 2027.

The assessment

The draft would make infrastructure capacity part of the site decision, not a problem to solve after land has been chosen. Developers would need to show earlier that the local grid, water supply and surrounding area can support the proposed facility. That could rule out some sites before a full application is prepared. A plot may be available, but the project may still need a smaller design, utility upgrades or a different location if power or water cannot be secured. Heat recovery would also need a realistic local user and connection plan, rather than remaining an untested feature in the design.

For BTW readers, the policy could make weak sites easier to identify before developers commit further time and capital. Whether it improves planning depends on the final wording and whether London’s boroughs apply the same evidence standards.

What to watch

The consultation may change how the plan treats grid capacity, water use, heat recovery and suitable locations. The final wording should show what evidence applicants must provide. Once the policy is in force, borough decisions will indicate whether it filters out impractical sites earlier or simply adds more documentation to the planning process.