Thousands back campaign against proposed AI data centre near Pontyclun
Residents say the development would bring few local benefits while threatening wildlife, public amenity and the surrounding landscape.
Hello and welcome to The Valleys Lead.
Today, we are taking you to Pontyclun, just off the A4119 in the south Wales valleys, to an area of land that will potentially be used to as the site for an AI data centre. In response, just over 2,500 people have signed a petition in opposition to the building plans. The Valleys Lead wanted to dig a bit deeper - we heard from two residents opposed to the AI data centre, dug out responses from Natural Resources Wales and the Public Protection Environment Team, and got thoughts from politicians and RCT Council.
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The Valleys Briefing
(A little round-up of some stories in brief from our valleys. Anytime you have something you’d like to share, no matter how big or small, email laurencrosbymedlicott@gmail.com):
A proposed £33 million for a transport network in Caerphilly has been questioned by Plaid Cymru councillors, who are demanding answers from Transport for Wales and Caerphilly Council. They say there has been no meaningful public consultation with residents along with full details of what is proposed, options to protect the town’s historic heritage, details of potential disruption or a firm timescale for any work. Councillor Greg Ead said: “I welcome investment in Caerphilly county borough, but residents have a right to know exactly what £33 million of their money will deliver. At the moment there are more questions than answers. Before this project goes any further, Transport for Wales should publish detailed plans and undertake a full public consultation so that local people can have their say on a scheme that could significantly affect the town for years to come.”
A new extra care development in Porth has been completed and handed over to RCT Council for use. The new facility is due to welcome first residents - older people who want to live independently - in August. Residents will live in their own apartments and can come and go freely with staff present for scheduled care and to help in any urgent situations. It is Rhondda Cynon Taf’s fourth extra care development.
We are seeing growing concern on social media about anti-social behaviour in Tredegar. Residents are generally frustrated, and have little confidence that anything meaningful will be done. Several want increased police presence and immediate enforcement. We plan to cover this in coming weeks - please feel free to get in touch with us if you’re worried about anti-social behaviour near you.
Thousands back campaign against proposed AI data centre near Pontyclun
At the start of July, on one of his twice-a-day walks on the vast area of green field in Pontyclun, Hugo Burke, saw something unusual which caught his eye.
“There were two signs, one saying that planning permission had been requested for a 10,000 square metre industrial unit, and the other for a 21,490 square metre data centre,” the 54-year-old and resident of Hunter’s Gate told The Valleys Lead. “That’s the only consultation we had about the plans.”
A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council told The Valleys Lead: “The application was publicised in accordance with the requirements of the Development Management Procedure (Order) Wales - direct notification to the nearest neighbouring properties, site notices in four places close to the site and a press notice in the Western Mail.”
The application for the “erection of a 21,490sqm Class B8 data centre with associated access, parking, drainage, landscaping, services and utilities,” as outlined here – case 26/0404/FUL - was received by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on 14 May 2026, with a consultation on 13 July. Currently, the application is at the “recommendation and/or committee” stage.
“When I saw the saw sign, I felt horrific,” Hugo said. “It’s going to be gargantuan. It’s a beautiful field that I and so many others use every day. Surely this should be built on dead land, rather than living land.”
He’s worried about noise pollution, the climate impact, and the loss of green space for people and animals. “It’s a disgrace to wildlife and our way of life,” he said. “Don’t take away our green spaces.”
The green space could be taken away from residents and the wildlife it currently inhabits, but what will be gained in return? “We won’t benefit from the AI data centre at all,” he said.
