Posted: Fri 26th Jun 2026

Massive new data centre planned near the M4 in UK

A massive new data centre is being planned on land near the M4.
A planning application has been submitted for the 18,220-square-metre data centre as well as access, parking, drainage, landscaping, services, and utilities on land at Mwyndy Cross to the east of the A4119.
A design and access statement prepared on behalf of Maska Group Limited mentions plans for the 18,220sqm (196,120 sq ft) data centre over two internal floors plus a 2,260-square-metre (24,330 sq ft) three-storey office block.
The development also includes an adjoining loading, unloading, plant (energy), and sub-station block as well as all associated support transport infra-structure, security, services, landscaping, mitigation such as additional hedgerow and small trees, and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) attenuation ponds.
The application also includes a new access road and T-junction off Mwyndy
Cross.
The design and access statement says many towns and cities throughout the UK are grappling with the recognised need for data centres.
It  says: “Although on the face of it, the UK doesn’t have a shortage of data centres – there are more than 500 across the country – it is the need for greater and greater capacity in order to keep up with the demands of artificial intelligence (AI) that is in demand.”
It says that Google have been reported as saying that the UK is at risk of being left behind in AI without more data centres in a call that the UK Government has appeared to heed, designating data centres as “critical national infrastructure”.
“Moreover, analysis of current trends suggests that global demand for data centre capacity could rise at an annual rate of circa 20% between now and 2030 reaching an annual demand of between 170 to 220 gigawatts (GW).”
The statement says that the available land to the east of Mwyndy Cross, particularly given its inherent infrastructure connectivity, offers an ideal opportunity for the development of such a data centre.
It says the application proposals are intended to create employment opportunities of various kinds for the immediate and wider population as well as become a catalyst for further development along Mwyndy Cross. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

%gallery% ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​



Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales



More from Rhondda Council

Pontypridd Road to Close Overnight for Tree Removal Works

Rhondda Council

New Housing Development Proposed in Cynon Valley for Affordable Units

Rhondda Council

New Police Office Location Revealed in Pontypridd Town Centre

Rhondda Council

Plans to Convert Old Valleys Town Hall and Nightclub into Flats and Commercial Space Under Consideration by RCT Council

Rhondda Council

New Care Home Proposed for Rhondda Fach Industrial Estate in Ferndale

Rhondda Council

By-election triggered in Welsh county after councillor steps down

Rhondda Council

Latest from News.Wales

Gymnastics Club in Torfaen Hopes to Double Capacity with Move to Vacant Warehouse

Torfaen Council

Pontypridd Road to Close Overnight for Tree Removal Works

Rhondda Council

Wrexham Council deems carcinogenic ‘forever chemicals’ dumped in Ruabon not dangerous enough to warrant multi-million pound clean-up

Wrexham Council

Plans Proposed to Create New Retail Units in Vacant Pontypool Shop on Crane Street

Torfaen Council

Former Bakery in Pontypool might become Yoga Studio, Pending Council Approval

Torfaen Council

Proposal to Cut Pembrokeshire Council Tax Premium for Second Homes Using Potential Tourism Tax Funds

Pembrokeshire Council