More than 42,000 people have signed a petition against Microsoft's proposed data centre on the former Skelton Grange power station site in Leeds. Protesters gathered in Millennium Square on Saturday, citing concerns about water and energy use, as well as the impact on wildlife after the site was left to re-wild for 32 years. The facility, approved in April, would include three buildings and up to 161,000 sq ft of floorspace. Microsoft says the complex will support digital services for communities and businesses, and that it matches all its UK energy use with renewables. The company also claims the facility will be air-cooled for over 95% of the time and that it remains committed to being carbon negative and water positive by 2030. Leeds City Council says the approval aligns with national planning policies. The debate highlights the tension between digital infrastructure growth and local environmental impact, a recurring issue for data centres across the UK.
