Billionaire Brothers Propose Major AI Data Centre in Spango Valley

London, United Kingdom Aug 31, 2026 ALN: Plans have been submitted for a huge 80,000-square-metre data centre at a site owned by billionaire businessmen James and Sandy Easdale. This ambitious project is set to take place in Spango Valley, which is located to the south-west of Greenock, Scotland. The proposal has been put forth by Slate Island Developments Ltd, a company associated with the Easdale brothers, who are known for their various business ventures, including ownership of the bus firm McGill’s.

AI Data Centre Proposal in Spango Valley

The proposed data centre will occupy a 28.21-hectare brownfield site that was previously home to an IBM computer factory. The Easdales acquired this site in 2018 for £1.5 million, with the intention of revitalizing the area, which has been largely vacant since the factory's closure. The location is significant as it offers a substantial area of previously developed land, making it more suitable for new construction projects compared to undeveloped sites.

This development is not just a standalone project; it is part of a broader initiative that includes a separately proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This dual approach reflects a growing trend in the tech industry to combine energy storage solutions with data processing facilities, aiming to enhance sustainability and efficiency in operations. Data centres, particularly those focused on AI, require substantial energy resources, and the integration of energy storage systems could help mitigate some of the environmental impacts associated with their energy consumption.

The National previously reported that the Easdales had initially considered building up to 450 residential properties on the site but decided to abandon those plans earlier this year. The shift in focus from residential development to a data centre underscores the evolving landscape of real estate and infrastructure needs in the region. According to documents submitted to Inverclyde Council, the current proposal includes four data centre buildings of varying sizes, as well as essential infrastructure, including access roads and parking facilities.

Interest in the project appears to be robust, with planning consultancy Pegasus Group, which is assisting Slate Island Developments with the application process, noting "strong interest" from a data centre operator. This indicates a growing demand for data centres across the UK, particularly as digital services and cloud computing continue to expand. The consultancy emphasized that the site’s large areas of previously formed development platform are ideally suited for a large floorplate user, which is a key consideration for data centre operations.

A spokesman for Slate Island Developments remarked on the site's historical significance, stating, "Spango Valley has a proud history as a centre for technology and employment in Inverclyde, and these proposals offer an exciting opportunity to open a new chapter for this important site. There is now strong interest from the data centre sector, providing a real opportunity to bring this long-vacant brownfield site back into productive use." This statement highlights the potential economic benefits of the project, which may create jobs and stimulate local economic activity.

Data centres have been classified as critical infrastructure since 2024, placing them on par with essential services such as water and energy. This designation has made the process of obtaining planning permission more streamlined, allowing developers to move forward with projects more efficiently. Currently, there are 23 other sites across Scotland identified for potential data centre development, with 20 of those already in the planning system. This reflects a broader trend in Scotland towards increasing the capacity for data processing and storage, which is crucial as the demand for digital services continues to rise.

However, the proposed data centre has not been without controversy. Campaigners have urged the Scottish Government to impose a moratorium on all planned new data centres, citing concerns over the environmental impacts and the need for sustainable development. Despite these calls, First Minister John Swinney has so far resisted implementing a pause on new developments. There has been a recent requirement for environmental impact assessments to be conducted for two proposed centres in Auchtertool in Fife and Wester Hermiston in Edinburgh, which indicates a growing recognition of the need to evaluate the environmental implications of such projects.

Opponents of data centre developments argue that there should be an immediate moratorium on new projects until a comprehensive assessment of the need for hyperscale AI data centres in Scotland is conducted. They emphasize the importance of understanding the potential impacts these facilities have on local communities, land use, water resources, the power grid, and Scotland’s climate commitments. The debate surrounding the establishment of data centres is emblematic of the broader challenges faced by modern economies as they seek to balance technological advancement with environmental stewardship and community well-being.

As discussions around the Spango Valley data centre continue, stakeholders from various sectors will need to engage in a dialogue that addresses both the economic potential of such developments and the imperative of sustainable practices. The outcome of this proposal could serve as a precedent for future data centre projects in Scotland, influencing how the government, businesses, and communities navigate the complexities of technological growth and environmental responsibility.