24/08/2026
Today fourteen community campaigns against proposed hyperscale data centres in their communities have, along with APRS, written to the First Minister to ask for an immediate moratorium while the Scottish Government investigate the impacts and put in place guidance for planning authorities. They have invited him out to meet with them when they Rally outside the Parliament on 3rd September.
Victoria Plutshack from the Edinburgh campaign said:
“The strength of feeling in the Edinburgh community can’t be oversold. These data centres are threatening our neighbourhoods, our green spaces and our environment. People are looking to the US experience and seeing concerns about energy bills, water quality and house prices. This is why we are coming together to gather at the Parliament. It’s critical that the Scottish Government put in place a moratorium while we figure out what’s right for Scotland.”
Rachel MacMillian from the Bishopriggs campaign said:
“We at Bishopbriggs and Lenzie are standing with campaigns across Scotland to fight against the proposed data centre builds threatening to blight our communities and countryside. It is vital that local people contact their MSPs and highlight the dangers to humans and the environment posed by these builds. Bring banners, invite your MSPs out to speak with you about your concerns — we are all in this fight together. Only together can we demand a moratorium. We are calling on the First Minister to push pause on these developments so we can investigate the true scale of their damage to Scotland.”
Lisa Beacham of the Hurlford Campaign said:
“Our village has been under a shadow for nearly a year now, from plans for a vast hyperscale data centre which would cover fields next to the village for as far as the eye can see. We are horrified that this kind of development would even be proposed, let alone promoted by the Scottish Government’s policies. We are calling on Holyrood to demand that the Scottish Government listen to local people and put a stop to this, and all the other developments that are threatening communities all over Scotland. These developments have national consequences and we need the Government to pay attention to what is happening.”
Hazel McIvor of the Larbert Campaign said:
“People in Larbert are waking up to what is being proposed here and they’re not prepared to simply stand by while big tech companies and governments put profit from AI before our community and our local environment. We will be up at the Parliament to tell the Scottish Government just that.
“We might not have the resources and deep pockets these companies have but we do have grit and determination. Larbert, Stenhousemuir and Falkirk are fighting back and its brought us closer. Neighbours who once simply said “hello” in passing are now becoming friends through this campaign. It’s brought our community together in a way none of us ever expected. We are all extremely angry that a development of this scale is even being considered so close to our homes. It has caused sleepless nights for a few of us living close to the proposed site.
“We know this could be a long fight but we’re not going anywhere. If they’re expecting the people of Larbert to give up quietly, they’ve underestimated us. Bring it on.”
Kat Jones, Director of APRS said:
“It is clear that a moratorium on hyperscale AI data centres has huge public support across Scotland, and in across all political parties. When the Parliament starts up again next week, all eyes will be on what the First Minister has to say about it”
