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Culture
A Quiet English Town Finds Itself on the Front Lines of the Global AI Infrastructure Race
Residents of Potters Bar, a quiet commuter town north of London, are fighting a five-billion-dollar data center project that would consume 85 acres of protected greenbelt farmland. Their battle has become a flashpoint in the collision between AI infrastructure demands and local conservation.
Key Takeaways
- Equinix plans a $5+ billion data center complex on 85 acres of greenbelt farmland near Potters Bar, England
- The UK government's classification of data centers as 'critical national infrastructure' and new 'gray belt' rules enabled the project
- Over 1,000 residents have organized opposition through social media and petitions
- The conflict exemplifies a global pattern of AI infrastructure demands clashing with community conservation
- Environmental concerns include massive electricity consumption, water usage, and noise from 24/7 operations
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DT Editorial AI··via wired.com