I used to live in a quiet area - now a data centre overlooks my garden

Breaking news from the markets: I used to live in a quiet area - now a data centre overlooks my gardenImage caption, Amanda says she can see the data centre from whichever window of her home she looks out ofByMegan Davies and Bethan Bushell, WalesPublished27 August 2026Updated 28 August 2026Overlooking the garden of Amanda Young's family home is a data centre. "It used to be a nice, quiet area," said Amanda, who lives near to one of the large buildings in Newport. "But with more data centres coming in, we kind of don't know what they're going to bring with them.

"Data centres are buildings full of powerful computers used to run digital services, from online banking to movie streaming. The number of data centres across the UK is on the rise as the growth in artificial intelligence (AI) increases the need for processing power. The UK government classifies data centres as critical national infrastructure and, according to recent Senedd research, "most jobs in the UK" are now reliant on them.

Economic Details

But concerns have been raised about the large amounts of resources data centres require - including electricity, grid capacity and water - as well as the impact on the local communities where they are built. For England, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for a freeze on the approval of new data centres, and said the UK government should introduce stricter environmental rules and give communities more say. Image caption, Anthony, who lives near Amanda, says the construction of the data centre nearby "takes away the peace"Once fully operational, the Vantage Data Center Campus, external in Newport, south Wales, will include three centres over 46 acres.

Amanda, whose home overlooks the site, said her biggest concern was "the noise, the visual impact and whether it will affect house prices" in her local area. "Whichever window you look out, you can see it," she said. "When you're sitting in the lounge, you can actually see it there.

"Anthony, who lives near Amanda, said the construction of the data centre "takes away the peace from the neighbourhood" because of the noise and the extra traffic. A spokesperson for Vantage Data Center said they were "committed to being a good neighbour", adding they "work closely with local authorities" to "manage construction activity, including traffic, noise and lighting" as well as incorporating "measures designed to protect the local environment". Newport City Council said, when considering planning applications, it worked to "ensure that the impacts are considered acceptable in terms of biodiversity, light, noise and construction traffic".

Image caption, Campaigners are concerned about the environmental impact of a proposed data centre in CardiffIn Cardiff, campaigners are concerned about proposals for a data centre campus in Llanrumney, on the site of the Cardiff East Park & Ride that takes passengers to the University Hospital of Wales.

Economists are analysing what the news means for the markets.