More than 800 objections have been filed to plans for a 300MW AI data center in Scotland.

Renewable energy firm Apatura wants to build the data center at the Glenbervie Business Centre in Larbert, three miles (4.8km) from Plean, and submitted a planning application for a two-building facility earlier this month.

However, residents in the area have voiced concerns to Falkirk Council, which will decide on the application.

Speaking to the National, Hazel McQueen, who lives 20 meters from the site and has objected to the plans, said: “My concerns include significant noise pollution from cooling systems, plant equipment, and backup generators operating both day and night.

“I live right next to a busy road that leads onto the motorway but come 8pm or 9pm the road can be very quiet. This monster will operate 24/7, so the humming and vibrations will be felt and heard throughout the night.”

Apatura said that building the data center, planned for a vacant site already zoned for business or industrial use, will involve a capital investment of £1 billion ($1.32bn) and create 5,000 construction jobs, as well as 1,300 permanent roles.

The data center will run on grid energy, with a new substation and diesel backup generators built on the site. It will also connect into a battery energy storage system Apatura is planning two miles north of the data center, which has already received planning permission.

If approved, the data center could begin operations in 2028.

Giles Hanglin, CEO of Apatura Energy, said: “We have been working very closely with landowner Scottish Enterprise, Falkirk Council’s Inward Investment Team, as well as individuals and organizations in the Falkirk area to ensure our proposals dovetail with the local development plan and will make a sustainable and positive long-term contribution to the families and businesses in the area.

“The Larbert site has been selected for its strategic position and strong grid connectivity to the nearby Denny substation, making it ideally placed to meet Scotland’s growing demand for secure, critical, and high-capacity digital infrastructure.”

Apartura had originally intended to build the data center on agricultural land near Plean, outside Falkirk, in the county of Stirling. But last year it changed its plans, having run into difficulties with the original site. At the time, local councilors accused the company of taking the “easy option.”