The City of Edinburgh Council killed the proposal. On 4 February 2026, the Development Management Sub-Committee voted to refuse planning permission for a 212MW green data centre at 1 Redheughs Avenue. This decision defied the planning officers, who had recommended approval. The committee cited failures to address the climate emergency and lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions under National Planning Framework 4.
Shelborn Drummond Ltd fought back. The developer lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division on 31 March 2026. But the case didn't stay in the local courts for long. On 17 August, Scottish Ministers recalled the appeal, pulling it from the standard process. This move signals a higher-stakes review.
The dispute hinges on environmental assessment. Edinburgh Council initially said an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) wasn't needed. The Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland pushed back, leading to a screening direction that reversed that position. Now, an EIA report is mandatory before the appeal can proceed. This bureaucratic hurdle adds months to a timeline already strained by political friction.
Scotland is rewriting the rules as this case unfolds. On 17 August 2026, the government brought in new notification directions for any data centre exceeding 50MW. Planning authorities must now notify Ministers within seven days of validating such applications. A separate EIA direction followed on 16 September. These moves transform local zoning decisions into national strategic reviews.
The fate of the Edinburgh Park project will likely hinge on the upcoming EIA submission. Shelborn Drummond's agent has indicated a report is coming. Until then, the 212MW facility remains a ghost in the machine, caught between local council objections and a new, stricter national regulatory net.