The Planning Committee of Ealing Council met on Wednesday 15 July 2026 to discuss a single planning application for the redevelopment of the former Honey Monster Food Factory site in Southall. The committee granted planning permission for the development, which will include a hyperscale data centre and affordable workspace, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

Redevelopment of the Former Honey Monster Food Factory Site

The committee considered a major planning application for the redevelopment of the former Honey Monster Food Factory site at Bridge Road, Southall¹. The proposal includes the construction of a hyperscale data centre, an affordable workspace building with a training centre, a substation, and associated infrastructure, parking, and landscaping.

Decision: Planning permission was granted.

Discussion: Officers presented the proposal, highlighting that the site is a vacant brownfield site within the Southall Opportunity Area and a designated Locally Significant Industrial Site (LSIS). The development aims to provide critical digital infrastructure while also delivering significant community benefits.

The data centre building is proposed to be approximately 38 metres in height, with the affordable workspace building reaching approximately 23 metres. Officers considered these heights appropriate given the site's industrial designation and its location within an area identified as suitable for tall buildings in Ealing's strategy.

Environmental impacts were a key consideration. The development proposes a closed-loop water cooling system to minimise water consumption. For energy, the scheme includes photovoltaic panels on the southern elevation of the data centre, which would be the largest such façade in the world, and heat pumps. Waste heat from the data halls would be recovered and used to heat the office accommodation within the data centre and affordable workspace buildings. The proposal also includes a comprehensive sustainability strategy, aiming for significant reductions in carbon emissions and a biodiversity net gain exceeding the statutory 10% requirement.

Councillor John Martin, a ward councillor for Nora Green, spoke in favour of the application, commending the applicant, Cyrus One, for their engagement with local residents and their positive response to feedback. He emphasised the potential for job creation, particularly for young people, and the long-lasting benefits the development could bring to the community.

Concerns were raised by councillors regarding the significant electricity demand of data centres and the potential environmental impact. Councillor Miriam Rice specifically mentioned the moratorium on data centre construction in New York due to water and electricity demands. Councillor Will Paul questioned the total operational carbon numbers and the potential for the data centre's compute capacity to be used for purposes beyond those initially stated, such as AI or cryptocurrency mining. Councillor Paul also enquired about conditioning the affordable workspace to be made available before the data centre comes online.

Officers responded by detailing the robust conditions and obligations secured through the Section 106 agreement to mitigate environmental impacts. They confirmed that the proposal achieves significant reductions in regulated and site-wide carbon emissions and includes a substantial carbon offset contribution. Regarding the use of the data centre, officers stated that it is adaptable to a wide range of uses, including cloud computing, data storage, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. On the timing of the affordable workspace, officers explained that due to the construction phasing, it would not be possible to condition its completion before the data centre, but assured that the developer is obligated to provide it.

The committee also discussed the use of a projection screen on the eastern elevation of the data centre, intended for community use. Councillor Ajay Roy requested that the chair and local ward councillors be involved in discussions regarding its use to ensure local communication. Officers agreed to make a note to ensure this happens.

Councillor Roy also asked about the applicant's financial standing, the project cost, and funding sources. Officers explained that while construction timelines would be detailed in a construction management plan, the overall project completion was estimated to be around six years.

During the debate, Councillor Paul acknowledged the necessity of data centres for modern society but expressed misgivings about their colossal energy use and the impact on the borough's carbon footprint.

Ultimately, the committee voted to grant planning permission for the redevelopment. The decision was supported by a significant package of Section 106 obligations and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions, totalling over £17.7 million, which would fund transport improvements, carbon offsetting, air quality initiatives, and employment and skills programmes. The development also includes the provision of 3,555 sqm of affordable workspace, a training centre, and public realm enhancements.