Greens MSP calls for data centre pause

Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer has urged North Ayrshire Council to join calls for a pause on new hyperscale data centre developments while national guidance is put in place.

The appeal comes as proposals remain under consideration for large-scale data centres at Hunterston and Irvine.

Mr Greer says councils are currently being asked to make planning decisions without clear guidance from the Scottish Government and has warned the projects could have significant impacts on energy demand, local communities and the environment.

He is now asking the local authority to support the same approach until a national strategy has been established.