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Environmental groups delivered a petition of nearly 55,000 signatures to Google's London headquarters opposing data centre plans at the former Arena Essex Raceway, but say Google refused to accept it.
Campaigners say Google’s London headquarters refused to accept a petition of nearly 55,000 signatures opposing plans for a data centre at the former Arena Essex Raceway near Purfleet.
Environmental groups Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust delivered the petition to Google’s London headquarters on Wednesday. The petition currently stands at 54,970 signatures at the time of publication, according to the Echo.
The 52-hectare site became a Local Wildlife Site in 2006 and campaigners say it supports hundreds of species, including rare bees, butterflies, nightingales and endangered broad-leaved cudweed. Conservationists claim the development would destroy much of the wildlife site, including more than 80 per cent of its protected habitats.
Plans include up to four data-centre buildings covering 130,500 square metres and a separate office building.
Buglife programmes manager Jamie Robins said: “Handing in this petition today is making it clear to Google that their Thurrock Data Centre plans are inappropriate and unwanted.
“This is simply the wrong place for a data centre and makes a mockery of Google’s sustainability claims. During a nature and climate emergency, with our insects in decline, we should be protecting our precious wildlife sites and need powerful companies to lead and make better decisions.”
Emily Buttress, of Essex Wildlife Trust, said: “Its loss would be devastating for the local area. It would fragment the ecological network even further, putting already at-risk wildlife under an even greater threat.
“We urge Google to listen to the 54,000 people who agree this site should be a home for wildlife, not a data centre.”
Campaigners instead want Arena Essex opened as green space and a home for wildlife, alongside the return of Thurrock Hammers Speedway.
Google did not confirm or deny campaigners’ claims that staff refused the petition.
A Google spokesperson said: “Data centres are vital to the UK, providing the critical infrastructure required to power our digital economy and the online services used by people in every corner of the UK.
“As we work to deliver this critical infrastructure, we share the Essex Wildlife Trust and Buglife's view that development at the former Arena Essex site must be sustainable.
“Our goal is to regenerate the site, bringing long-term investment and jobs to Thurrock while taking our environmental responsibilities very seriously.
“We are working closely with Natural England and ecological experts to guarantee a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.
"Our proposal also ensures a substantial part of the site is preserved for new public open space, green links, retained habitat, and the long-term enhancement of key woodland corridors.”
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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