Updated Information 11 November 2026.
Plans for a £1.5 billion data centre on Green Belt land near Junction 24 of the M25 continue to raise questions across the Enfield community.
Orbital Data Centres Ltd is proposing a major 150-megawatt facility on land at New Cottage Farm, off The Ridgeway, spanning the boundary between Enfield and Hertsmere.
The proposed development could bring significant investment and employment opportunities to the area, but residents are also concerned about the impact on the Green Belt, wildlife, local infrastructure and surrounding communities.
Since the proposals were announced, local residents have formed Stop Junction 24, a campaign group opposing the development and encouraging people to engage with the consultation process.
Now, following two public exhibitions held on 9 and 10 November, residents have shared detailed notes from their conversations with representatives working on the proposals.
We've brought together some of the key points raised to help our community understand what has been discussed and what questions remain unanswered.
Orbital Data Centres is proposing a large-scale data centre development on approximately 29 acres of land near the M25.
The proposals include two substantial data centre buildings, supporting infrastructure and landscaping.
The developer has highlighted potential benefits including construction employment, permanent jobs, business rates and investment in digital infrastructure.
It has also outlined plans for new trees, landscaped areas and measures intended to support biodiversity.
However, residents attending the public exhibitions have been keen to understand how these proposals would work in practice and what safeguards would be put in place.
Residents attended the exhibitions at Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar on Monday 9 November and West Lodge Park Hotel on Tuesday 10 November.
Several attendees have since compiled notes from conversations with architects, planning consultants and landscaping specialists working on the project.
These notes reflect what individual residents understood from their conversations and should not be treated as an official transcript or confirmed commitments from the developer.
Residents report being told that construction could take around three years, with surrounding roads potentially experiencing disruption during that period.
Questions were raised about construction traffic, access routes and how local communities would be affected.
A detailed traffic management plan and the extent of any disruption have not yet been established in the residents' notes.
One of the biggest areas of discussion was the proposed facility's electricity requirements.
Residents report being told that the development is being planned around a 150-megawatt grid connection, potentially available from 2030.
Questions were raised about who would pay for the connection, whether a new substation would be required and whether the development could affect electricity costs for nearby households and businesses.
According to residents' notes, representatives indicated that the eventual end user would be responsible for the new grid connection and associated infrastructure.
However, questions about the wider impact on local energy costs remain unanswered.
The proposed data centre would use a closed-loop cooling system, designed to recirculate water rather than continuously draw fresh water from the mains.
Residents were told that water would initially come from the mains supply and that the system would use glycol, an antifreeze substance, as part of the cooling process.
However, those attending said they were unable to obtain a clear estimate of how much water the facility would require.
Residents have requested further technical information about water consumption and environmental impacts.
Noise was another concern raised during the exhibitions.
Residents questioned whether the continuous background hum associated with data centre operations could affect nearby homes and businesses.
According to the notes, representatives referred to noise assessments and suggested that existing motorway noise would be louder than the proposed facility.
However, residents want to see the supporting technical assessments and understand how any future noise limits would be monitored and enforced.
The proposed development includes landscaping, new tree planting and measures intended to improve biodiversity.
Residents discussed the preservation of existing trees, the creation of ponds and habitats, and the long-term maintenance of landscaped areas.
Those attending said they were unable to establish a confirmed landscaping maintenance budget or obtain guarantees about how the proposed measures would be managed after construction.
Questions were also raised about waste heat from the data centre and its potential environmental effects.
One attendee reported that planning consultants had discussed the possibility of supplying waste heat to Energetik, Enfield's district heating network, although no agreement was confirmed.
The developer has previously highlighted the potential for construction jobs and permanent employment once the data centre becomes operational.
However, residents wanted to know how many of those opportunities would be available to people living in Enfield and Hertsmere.
According to the consultation notes, representatives were unable to guarantee that employment opportunities would go to local residents.
Questions were also raised about community investment, local training and whether any commitments would be secured as part of a future planning agreement.
Another significant point raised was the identity of the eventual operator.
Residents report being told that Orbital Data Centres is progressing the project without a confirmed end user at this stage.
One attendee understood that the company's role was to assemble the land, designs, grid arrangements and planning permission before the development could potentially be transferred to another organisation.
This raises further questions about who would ultimately build, own and operate the facility, and what long-term responsibilities would apply.
These matters will require clarification as the proposals progress.
The land at New Cottage Farm was previously owned by Enfield Council.
Council records show that, in January 2026, the previous Labour administration agreed to the proposed disposal of 27.6 acres of land near Junction 24 of the M25, subject to the necessary consents.
The decision was subsequently scrutinised, with concerns raised about the sale of publicly owned Green Belt land.
Following the change in administration in May 2026, the new Conservative leadership publicly expressed opposition to the proposed data centre.
Councillor Andrew Thorp, representing Ridgeway ward, also responded to the Stop Junction 24 residents' group.
He confirmed that the ward councillors opposed the development and did not believe it should proceed.
Councillor Thorp also explained that Councillor Smith had called in the land sale for further scrutiny, but that the previous administration had chosen to proceed.
Importantly, the sale of land and the granting of planning permission are separate processes.
The land's ownership does not automatically provide permission for a data centre to be constructed.
The proposed site has previously been considered as part of Enfield's emerging Local Plan.
During the examination process, the planning inspector raised concerns about the proposed allocation of land near Junction 24 for development, including the potential harm to the Green Belt.
This has become an important part of the debate, with residents questioning whether a development of this scale is appropriate in this location.
Any future planning application will need to be assessed against the relevant planning policies and legal requirements.
The Stop Junction 24 campaign group has been bringing together residents concerned about the proposals.
The group has distributed information locally, attended the consultation exhibitions and compiled questions and notes from discussions with the development team.
They have also created a central online resource where residents can access campaign information, supporting documents, updates and ways to get involved.
Rather than reproducing every question and response from the exhibitions here, we encourage anyone wanting to explore the detail to visit the group's information page.
Stop Junction 24 - Information and Resources
https://linktr.ee/stopjunction24
Residents can also contact the group at:
Please note that Stop Junction 24 is an independent residents' campaign group opposing the proposals. Its materials represent the group's research, concerns and campaign position.
The developer-led public consultation remains open until Sunday 22 November 2026.
Residents do not need to have attended one of the exhibitions to submit feedback.
Questions and comments can be sent directly to the consultation team:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07523 696293
Developer's consultation website:
https://junction24datacentre.co.uk/
Residents can raise concerns, request further technical information or express support for aspects of the proposals.
This is an opportunity to provide feedback before any formal planning application is submitted.
Following the consultation, Orbital Data Centres is expected to review the feedback and determine the next steps for its proposals.
At the time of the public exhibitions, no formal planning application had been submitted.
If an application is brought forward, it will need to go through the relevant planning process, with further opportunities for public scrutiny and representations.
Questions about environmental impacts, infrastructure requirements, noise, traffic and landscaping will be particularly important as more detailed documents become available.
At Love Your Doorstep, we believe it's important that our community has access to clear information about developments that could shape the future of our borough.
The proposed Junction 24 data centre has prompted discussion about the protection of Green Belt land, the management of public assets, economic investment and the environmental implications of major infrastructure projects.
It's encouraging to see local residents taking the time to research the proposals, attend public meetings, ask questions and share information with their neighbours.
Whether you support the development, oppose it or are still considering the proposals, we encourage everyone to explore the available information and make their views known.
We will continue to follow developments and share further updates as the planning process progresses.
Further Information
21 October 2026
£1.5 Billion Data Centre Proposed on Enfield Green Belt Land Near M25
A major £1.5 billion data centre development is being proposed on former farmland near Junction 24 of the M25, on land previously owned by Enfield Council. With a public consultation now underway, we take a look at what is being proposed, how the land came to be sold and how local residents can have their say.
What’s happening near Junction 24 of the M25?
A major new development is being proposed on Green Belt land off The Ridgeway, close to Junction 24 of the M25, and it’s a story that has already prompted discussion across the Enfield community.
Orbital Data Centres has announced plans to develop a large data centre facility on approximately 29 acres of land, spanning the boundary between Enfield and Hertsmere.
The proposed development represents an investment of more than £1.5 billion, with the company highlighting potential employment opportunities and economic benefits for the surrounding area.
However, the location of the development, the site’s Green Belt status and the circumstances surrounding the previous sale of council-owned land have raised important questions.
With a public consultation now open, we wanted to bring together the background information so our community can better understand what is happening.
What is being proposed?
The development would include two large data centre buildings, with approximately 50,000 square metres of floorspace.
Data centres provide the infrastructure needed to support digital services, including online banking, healthcare systems, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
According to the developer, the proposals could deliver:
The company also says more than half the site would remain as green space, with approximately 640 new trees, wildlife habitats and public access to around two hectares of landscaped land.
These are the developer’s projections and proposals, rather than independently verified outcomes.
How did the land come to be sold?
One of the key questions being raised locally is how council-owned Green Belt land came into private ownership.
Council documents confirm that, on 14 January 2026, Enfield Council’s then Labour administration agreed to the proposed disposal of 27.6 acres of land at New Cottage Farm, near Junction 24 of the M25.
The decision was subject to the necessary consents, including those involving the Secretary of State and the Duchy of Lancaster.
On 19 January 2026, the then Leader of Enfield Council, Councillor Ergin Erbil, made a formal decision to proceed with the disposal process after considering representations submitted in response to statutory public notices.
The documents show that the council had identified the land as surplus to its operational requirements.
The purchaser and financial details were contained within confidential documentation.
Orbital Data Centres has since confirmed that it acquired the land from Enfield Council in January 2026.
The distinction is important: the decision to sell the land and the decision about whether a data centre should receive planning permission are two separate matters.
What about Enfield’s Green Belt?
The site has also been the subject of significant scrutiny through the emerging Enfield Local Plan.
The land had previously been identified for potential industrial and logistics development.
However, in June 2026, the government-appointed planning inspector examining Enfield’s Local Plan recommended that the proposed allocation be removed.
The inspector raised concerns about the potential harm to the Green Belt, the rural character of the area and whether sufficient justification had been provided for development in this location.
This is particularly significant because the proposed data centre would now be seeking permission on land which the inspector considered should remain protected.
The land also crosses the boundary between Enfield and Hertsmere, meaning the planning authorities in both areas will have a role in considering any future applications.
What has the current council said?
Following the change in administration at Enfield Council in May 2026, the borough’s new Conservative leadership has publicly expressed its commitment to protecting Green Belt land.
The council’s current position is therefore an important part of the discussion, particularly given that the land sale was agreed under the previous administration.
However, regardless of political leadership, any future planning application must be considered through the relevant statutory planning process.
The fact that land has been sold does not automatically mean permission has been granted for development.
Local concerns and the wider debate
The proposals raise several questions for the local community.
Supporters of data centre investment may point to the potential jobs, business rates, investment and increasing demand for digital infrastructure.
Others are concerned about the loss of Green Belt land, the scale of the buildings, environmental impact, energy requirements, traffic and the precedent that development in this location could create.
There are also questions about how publicly owned land is managed and the long-term implications of decisions to dispose of it.
The Enfield Society has highlighted the proposed development and is encouraging residents to engage with the consultation.
How can residents have their say?
Orbital Data Centres is currently carrying out a public consultation before submitting formal planning applications.
Residents can find out more about the proposals and share their views through the developer’s consultation website.
Public consultation closes: Sunday 22 November 2026.
Two public exhibitions are also scheduled:
Monday 9 November, 2pm–8pm
Wyllyotts Theatre and Cinema, Potters Bar, EN6 2HZ.
Tuesday 10 November, 2pm–8pm
West Lodge Park Hotel, Cockfosters Road, EN4 0PY.
Residents can view the proposals and submit feedback at:
https://junction24datacentre.co.uk/
At this stage, no formal planning application has been submitted. Further opportunities for public comment are expected once applications are made.
Keeping Enfield informed
At Love Your Doorstep, we believe it’s important that our community has access to clear information about decisions and developments that could shape the future of our borough.
Whether residents welcome the potential investment or have concerns about protecting Enfield’s Green Belt, everyone should have the opportunity to understand the proposals and make their views known.
We will continue to follow developments and share further information as the planning process progresses.
What do you think about the proposals for a data centre near Junction 24?
We welcome respectful and constructive discussion from across our community.
Further information:
A further opportunity for residents to object
In a further development, Enfield Council published a statutory notice on 28 October 2026 concerning the proposed disposal of the freehold land at New Cottage Farm.
The notice confirms that objections can be submitted directly to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The deadline for objections is 5pm on Friday 27 November 2026.
Residents wishing to object to the proposed disposal can email:
This is a separate process from the developer’s public consultation and provides another opportunity for residents to make their views known.
