A 1GW data center campus planned for a former RAF air base in North Lincolnshire, UK, has been granted planning permission.

Elsham Tech Park was given the green light by North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Wednesday.

The data center campus would be built on land south and east of Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate, adjacent to the A15 road outside Scunthorpe. Elsham Wolds is a former RAF base that has been converted into an industrial zone.

It would span 1.5 million sqm (16.1 million sq ft), making it one of the largest in the UK, and feature 15 data halls with a combined power draw of 1GW. An on-site energy center will generate 49.9MW to fulfill part of the development’s power requirements, though the application does not specify what the source of this energy will be.

Outline planning permission has been granted, meaning the developer, Elsham Tech Park Ltd., will need to return with more detailed blueprints for the scheme before it can start building.

The project is expected to cost £5.5 billion-£7 billion ($7.3bn-$9.37bn), and how it will be financed has not been revealed.

Speaking following the decision, Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The numbers attached to this project are eye-watering – almost hard to get your head around. But what really matters is what it means for residents in North Lincolnshire.

“This will bring thousands of construction jobs, hundreds of highly skilled, high-paid long-term roles, and the chance to build a new industry right here in North Lincolnshire.”

Indeed, the developer claims the project will create 900-1,200 long-term jobs. The site will feature a connection enabling waste heat to be funneled to a district heating system, and a greenhouse which will utilize excess warmth to help grow tomatoes. An economic report submitted as part of the applications says 4,728 tonnes of tomatoes could be grown in the greenhouse each year.

Amenities such as a cafe, creche, and shop will also be built, which will be available to staff from other businesses in the area, the application said.

Elsham Tech Park Ltd. was set up last year. According to Companies House, its two directors are also on the board of Humber Tech Park Ltd., developer of Humber Tech Park, a £3 billion ($3.8bn) 386MW data center campus being planned at South Killingholme, another part of North Lincolnshire. The South Killingholme development was granted outline planning permission in August 2024.

Humber Tech Park Ltd. also has links to Greystoke Land, a developer seeking to build a large data center complex near Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire. This was approved by then deputy prime minister Angela Rayner last year, despite opposition from local planners.