More than 42,000 people have signed a petition against Microsoft's planned data centre near Leeds, UK. The development at the former Skelton Grange power station site in Stourton has drawn criticism over its expected energy and water consumption. Protesters also raised concerns about wildlife disruption, as the area has re-wilded over 32 years. Around 250 people gathered in Leeds on Saturday to demonstrate against the project, which received planning permission in April. Microsoft says the facility will be air cooled for more than 95% of the time and that it matches all its UK energy use with renewable energy. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to becoming carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030. The complex will include three data centre buildings and a warehouse with up to 161,000 square feet of floorspace, plus cooling chimneys and backup generators. The dispute highlights a broader tension: data centres are essential for digital services, but their resource demands can clash with local environmental goals and grid decarbonization. The outcome in Leeds could set a precedent for how future data centre projects are evaluated in the UK, especially regarding energy transparency and biodiversity offsets.
