Plans to establish a new travellers’ site close to the proposed location for a data centre near Bridgwater have been refused by Somerset Council, primarily due to flooding risks.
In May 2024, Tommy Dolan submitted an application to create a travellers’ site comprising six pitches on Horsey Lane, situated between the M5 motorway and existing residential properties. This location lies within the parish of Bridgwater Without, on land that was formerly part of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway before its closure in the mid-1960s.
After more than two years of deliberation, the council declined the planning application, citing concerns that potential residents would face high flood risk. Additionally, the council concluded that the application did not sufficiently demonstrate the demand for such pitches in the local area.
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Previously, the land had permission for three mobile homes intended to accommodate construction workers while a permanent home was being built for a local family. The most recent proposal would have seen six mobile home pitches established at the southern end of the site near the motorway, each including a parking space.
A spokesperson for Mr Dolan argued that the proposal met an identified local need for traveller pitches. They emphasised that the six-pitch development was proportionate in scale, did not dominate the nearby settled community, and was close to Bridgwater’s facilities, thereby minimising transport impacts.
However, the council’s planning officers, acting under delegated powers, declined permission without referring the matter to the Sedgemoor area planning committee. Planning officer Anna Hayes outlined three reasons for refusal:
- The site lies within a flood risk area, with no compelling evidence that alternative sites were unavailable.
- Insufficient information was provided to demonstrate that the pitches would meet the needs of local Gypsies and travellers.
- Details were lacking on how noise and other impacts from the nearby M5 motorway would be adequately mitigated.
This decision coincides with controversy over a separate planning matter. Six months earlier, the council approved initial screening for a substantial new data centre near the opposite end of Horsey Lane. The proposed facility would cover an area equivalent to over 180 football pitches and require approximately 500MW of power, predominantly supplied by a neighbouring solar farm. However, no detailed masterplan has been published, and the operator and employment figures remain undisclosed.
Locals have expressed strong opposition to the data centre proposal. An online petition opposing the development has attracted over 2,000 signatures. Initiated by Jaya Lemaitre, the petition highlights concerns about the data centre’s estimated water consumption of 11 to 19 million litres per day for cooling, which could strain local water supplies.
Ms Lemaitre also cited worries about noise pollution and artificial lighting disrupting the area’s tranquillity, potentially affecting residents’ health and local wildlife. She stressed that such impacts could lead to sleep disturbances, stress, and a decreased quality of life for the community.
The petition remains open for signatures and can be accessed via change.org under the title “Stop the Build of the AI Data Centre on Horsey Lane.”