The recently approved plan for a new data centre in Hemel Hempstead marks a significant advancement in the UK’s digital infrastructure, particularly in an era where data handling and storage are increasingly crucial. Positioned to replace an older warehouse and office facility, this project not only enhances the digital capabilities of the region but also transforms the existing workplace environment.
Designed by Scott Brownrigg for Northtree Investment Management, the new data centre will be a three-storey structure, offering approximately 5,000 square metres of space. It is not just about scale; the strategic location at 45 Marylands Avenue will integrate essential support functions including office spaces and a substation, alongside provisions for car parking and servicing areas. This reflects a comprehensive approach to the data centre’s functionality and accessibility.
In addition to operational efficiency, the design plan embraces public realm improvements. The aim is to strengthen the boulevard’s character through a generous setback and to enhance pedestrian and cycle routes with new landscaping and seating areas. This focus on aesthetic and functional improvements highlights a wider trend where data centres are increasingly designed to integrate with their immediate surroundings.
Hemel Hempstead’s growing prominence as a hub in the data centre cluster, paralleling established areas such as Slough and Stockley Park, reflects a strategic push towards optimising regions with close proximity to London but greater availability of land and resources. The need for such infrastructure is underscored by past challenges in nearby areas where proposals for similar developments faced administrative hurdles, further emphasising the pressing demand for increased data centre capacity.
The architectural and planning vision involves more than aesthetic appeal and basic utility. Scott Brownrigg’s proposal incorporates sustainable design principles. A ‘fabric-first’ approach ensures the building itself contributes significantly to energy efficiency, leveraging natural ventilation and the strategic planting of local flora to support biodiversity while delivering visual and environmental benefits.
In terms of employment and local economic impact, the development of this data centre is expected to deliver a dual benefit. In the short term, the construction phase will create roles ranging from builders to electrical and data cabling specialists. Longer term, the operational phase will sustain demand for a skilled workforce to manage, maintain and secure the facility. This creates ongoing opportunities for employment across multiple disciplines.
For professionals in the construction, recruitment and data cabling sectors, such projects highlight the strong demand for skilled labour while also underscoring the way digital infrastructure is becoming integral to urban planning and economic development. The new data centre in Hemel Hempstead therefore represents not only an advance in digital capability but also a boost for employment and local growth.
Ultimately, the evolution of data centres such as this one reflects a broader trend: as reliance on digital services grows, so too does the complexity and necessity of the supporting infrastructure. For industry professionals, staying informed and adaptable to these changes is not merely beneficial, it is essential to thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of construction and digital infrastructure.
