Anglesey Council Rejects AI Data Center Proposal

A planning application to convert the former Octel factory in Amlwch Port, North Wales, into an AI data center has been rejected by Anglesey County Council. Submitted by Carbon3.ai in January 2026, the proposal aimed to repurpose existing buildings for data center construction; it was aligned with the UK’s initiative to grow AI infrastructure in Wales by designating specific areas as AI Growth Zones. The site has remained dormant since its closure in 2004 after over 50 years of operation producing bromine. This rejection adds to a troubling trend, as Edinburgh's council also denied a similar data center project earlier this year.

The rejection of this planning application signifies ongoing challenges faced by data center developments in the UK, particularly concerning community engagement and bureaucratic hurdles. Reports indicate that planning consent for data centers often takes extended periods, with a recent study showing an average approval time of 490 days. Such barriers may significantly affect the AI ecosystem in Wales, diminishing local opportunities for technological advancements and potentially increasing reliance on foreign AI infrastructure to meet demands.