A pioneering new data centre looks set to be built at a Lancaster sports and leisure facility.
Lancaster City Council cabinet has approved a business plan for the centre - which will allow partners to host their own secure cloud data storage.
Subject to planning permission, the data centre would be located at the back of the council-owned Salt Ayre Leisure Centre and replace ageing facilities near to Lancaster Town Hall.
It will be designed to integrate into the leisure centre’s existing solar and heat pump systems, and host the council’s own ICT (information and communications technology) infrastructure.
The council said the data exchange is a key feature of the Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) that was completed earlier this year, and which positions the district as a hub for digital infrastructure and innovation, including potential AI Growth Zone initiatives.
Waste heat from the data centre will help to heat the swimming pool – saving money on the data servers’ cooling systems – while an on-site battery energy storage system will allow the council to maximise value for money from the nearby solar farm and support the operational resilience of the data centre and Salt Ayre.
“The building of this new data centre will be a big step forward," said Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox, cabinet member with responsibility for finance and property.
"Our current facilities in Lancaster are not fit for purpose and would require very significant investment. Investing in this modern data centre ensures we will be fit for the future as an organisation while also providing digital infrastructure for users of the fibre network.
“There are also many environmental benefits as the new data centre will cut our carbon emissions and lower our energy bills, supporting our net zero ambitions. The scheme is also another example of strong partnership working with both the private sector and Blackpool Council.”
Subject to planning permission being approved, the new data centre is planned to be up and running by the end of March 2026.
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