I am writing to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, whichever you consider applicable.
My request concerns planning applications relating to data centres — including data storage or data processing facilities, whether new build, change of use, conversion or extension — within the area covered by your authority.
For the three-year period from 1st January 2023 to 21 July 2026 inclusive, please provide:
1. The total number of planning applications received/validated that relate to data centres.
2. A breakdown of those applications by outcome:
a) granted/approved;
b) refused;
c) withdrawn;
d) still pending/awaiting determination.
Where possible, I would also be grateful for a list of the relevant applications showing, for each one: the planning reference number, the site address, the date received, the current status, and (where decided) the decision and decision date.
As data centres may not be recorded under a single category, I appreciate you may need to identify relevant applications from the description or use class (for example B8 or sui generis) — please interpret "data centre" reasonably and note any assumptions you make.