A data center campus could be built at a park and ride facility in Llanrumney, Cardiff, that serves Wales’ largest hospital, the University Hospital of Wales.

According to site layouts submitted on behalf of Curtis Hall Limited, which owns the park and ride site, the campus would consist of three data centers, an onsite substation, ancillary energy facilities, and an admin and storage building, on an approximately 40-acre land parcel.

The capacity and end-user of the facility were not disclosed.

While there has been some concern about the environmental impact of a data center campus and the consequences of increased demand for local utilities, most of the opposition to the proposal has come primarily from those concerned about the inconvenience that this would cause to the staff and patients of University Hospital Wales.

In a pre-application consultation report submitted to Cardiff Council, property consultant Iceni Projects stated that the park and ride facility is “not subject to a formal arrangement” with the hospital, critics of the plan say the closure would lead to a large increase of traffic to the site, making it difficult for staff and patients to access the hospital and find parking there.

Cardiff Council is in the process of identifying an alternative site in the event that the proposed data center is approved and built, according to a statement included in the report’s appendix.

Curtis Hall has been eyeing an opportunity to make its land more profitable, and it asked and received permission to demolish and redevelop some parts of the site in June 2024.

Wales, a constituent country of the UK, has a growing data center market. The likes of Microsoft and Vantage are operating in the country, and the UK government has announced two AI Growth Zones – which are areas with streamlined planning procedures and access to power – in Bridgend and Anglesey Freeport, located in the north and south of the country, respectively.