# North Devon AI Data Center Project Faces Mounting Local Opposition

> Xlinks' proposed 1.5GW AI data center and 1.8GW battery energy storage system on 850 acres of North Devon farmland draws significant local and environmental group opposition.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-23T04:26:58.679507Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/north-devon-ai-data-center-project-faces-mounting-local-opposition-7c818edb

Xlinks, a developer, is proposing a 1.5GW artificial intelligence data center and a 1.8GW battery energy storage system on 850 acres of farmland near Great Torrington, Huntshaw, and Weare Giffard in North Devon, UK [2][3][5][6]. Publicly announced in June 2026, this project faces considerable opposition from local residents and environmental groups [1][7].

The proposed development could transform extensive agricultural land into an industrial site, raising questions about the future of rural communities and their environmental impact from large-scale infrastructure projects [5][7].

## What the records show

Xlinks, registered in England and Wales, proposes the Devon Data Campus, consisting of a 1.5GW AI-optimized data center and a 1.8GW battery energy storage system (BESS) [2][3][4]. Xlinks states this would be among Europe's largest AI data centers, projecting £12.2 to £13.8 billion in investment and an annual economic contribution of £3.3 to £3.6 billion [2][3]. The company anticipates 2,000 to 3,500 construction jobs and 600 to 1,200 permanent operational roles [2][3].

Local groups, including CPRE Devon, oppose the plan, citing concerns over the permanent loss of 850 acres of agricultural land and the alteration of the rural area by five buildings up to 40 meters (130 feet) high [5][7]. Opponents describe the proposal as a "monstrous megalithic construction" [7]. Water usage is a major concern following a local hosepipe ban [7]. While Xlinks claims the campus will be water self-sufficient, a Freedom of Information request reportedly showed an earlier design projected annual water consumption could reach 2.9 billion liters under extreme heat [7]. Other concerns include ecological damage, pollution, and fire risks from the 1.8GW BESS, which would contain 1,720 containerized lithium-ion units [5][7].

## The timeline

Private discussions between Xlinks and Torridge District Council began in March 2025, with the council issuing in-principle support in April 2025, prior to public consultation [7]. Xlinks publicly announced its proposal in June 2026 [1][4]. A public meeting in June 2026, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, Member of Parliament, revealed strong local opposition [5]. A social media group against the project gained over 5,000 members in its first week in July 2026 [7]. A public consultation, originally set for July 14 to August 11, 2026, was postponed [3][4][7]. On September 21, 2026, approximately 200 people protested a council meeting [7]. A national petition for a moratorium on data centers, collecting over 36,000 signatures, was rejected by the government on September 17, 2026 [7]. Xlinks intends to submit two separate planning applications in October 2026, though none had been received by late September [5].

## What changed and for whom

Xlinks previously worked on the Morocco-UK Power Project, but the UK government withdrew its support, leading Xlinks to shift focus to the Devon Data Campus [4]. This change means a potential industrial development for North Devon's agricultural land, impacting local surroundings and environment [5][7].

## What the subject has said publicly

Xlinks states the campus will bring "significant economic investment, skilled employment, and clean energy infrastructure" to the region [4]. The company asserts the campus will be designed sensitively and will improve biodiversity by at least 10% [7]. Xlinks also states the campus will recirculate water and rely on rainwater for self-sufficiency [7].

## What we could not confirm

- The specific impact of the project on local tourism.
- The precise number of permanent operational jobs expected if the project is approved.
- The exact timeline for the rescheduled public consultation.

## Evidence cited
1. reddit.com (reddit.com) — https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQH6_aPIRfEX_h4AEzVaU7zEvb_ucSLBb-ueBDBCLYZWeEyl5dyutwHrdAtM8TiJSRZn3k8H-5dP5OdTcROKH3f1wE6HeuaIVs5ZaETqcDM4YGk_laOZgAbuJTUC8nBZfzOlNm6hB9EZBCkDBAzitqs546pPam_roXY-WSpWE6J5tX4_DqT3b63t-xl0
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