Residents in Brick Lane, London, are actively opposing plans for a new datacentre that they argue will exacerbate the area’s housing crisis. The campaign, led by local activists including Jonathan Moberly and Susanna Kow, emphasizes the urgent need for affordable housing over the proposed datacentre intended for high-frequency trading.
Concerns Over Housing Crisis
The proposed datacentre, covering 5,200 sq metres, would be located on the site of the former Truman Brewery. Activists claim that it would offer no benefits to the community, which is currently facing a severe housing shortage. Moberly stated, “We have a severe housing crisis here and this site should be used to build affordable – ideally council – houses.”
A recent report from the London Assembly supports these claims, indicating that the rapid expansion of datacentres is contributing to delays in housing developments. The report highlights that the electricity grid lacks the capacity to support both new housing and datacentres simultaneously.
Impact of Datacentres on the Community
Local council member Faysal Ahmed echoed community sentiments, stating that the proposed datacentre would drive up housing costs and push long-term residents out of Brick Lane. He remarked, “It defies all logic to propose a datacentre on Brick Lane, in the middle of one of the most densely populated estates in the country.”
