The Strategic Planning Committee of Northumberland County Council was scheduled to meet on 2 December 2025 to discuss a reserved matters application for a data centre and receive an update on Section 106 agreements¹. The meeting was also scheduled to include agreement of the minutes from a previous meeting, and declarations of interest from any of the councillors.

Data Centre Reserved Matters Application

The committee was scheduled to consider application 25/02911/REM, a reserved matters application relating to land at the former Blyth Power Station site in Cambois. The application, submitted by Renaissance Land Limited, concerned access, layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping for two data centre buildings, including ancillary office space, a security gatehouse, and associated infrastructure, pursuant to outline planning permission 24/04112/OUTES.

The proposed development includes:

• Vehicular and pedestrian access roads, parking with electric vehicle charging bays.
• A 3m wide footpath and cycle path.
• Cycle shelters and refuse storage.
• External landscaping and site furnishings.
• Secure perimeter fencing.
• A fire tank compound.
• An attenuation pond.
• Utility connections.
• A security guardhouse with access-controlled gates.
• Two 'Freedom parks'.
• Palisade fencing.
• Two identical three-storey data centre buildings, each comprising 45,167 square metres.

Each data centre would contain:

• A central hall housing computer racks.
• Equipment yards for electrical plant.
• Front and back of house support blocks with office accommodation, network rooms, storage space and loading bays.
• Roof-level chillers for cooling.
• 55 diesel-powered generators for emergency power.
• Energy PODs containing electrical systems, backup batteries and cooling.
• Six secure rooms for power management and distribution.

The data centres were designed to allow for the capture and reuse of waste heat via a district heating network².

The report pack noted that one objection had been received, raising concerns over water use, energy supply, emissions, visual impact and governance.

The Director of Housing and Planning recommended that the application be granted, subject to a Section 106 agreement to secure biodiversity net gain³ through habitat creation and enhancement, and a monitoring fee of £11,669.

Section 106 Agreements Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a report providing an update on the monitoring and collection of Section 106 contributions in the planning process. The report included a list of new agreements completed in September and October 2025, including agreements relating to land north of Aldi on Cowpen Road in Blyth, land south of Greensfield Farm on Weavers Way in Alnwick, and land at The Orchard, Lancaster Park in Cramlington.

The report also detailed awards paid from Section 106 contributions, including £23,740 for the Hexham Playzone and £250,000 for the Felton GP Surgery.