Green Light on US$13.5bn Northumberland Data Centre Site
Approval to begin preparatory works has been granted for a vast data centre campus in Cambois, Northumberland, unlocking the next phase of a £10bn (US$13.5bn) scheme set to transform the area.
The project is led by QTS, a Blackstone-owned company that designs, builds and runs sustainable data centres. Planning permission was granted in March 2025, allowing QTS to proceed with one of the UK’s largest inward investments to date.
The campus is set to cover up to 540,000 square metres. It will be supported by a closed loop water system – a cooling system designed to reduce water consumption by continually recycling water rather than drawing in fresh supplies. This method aims to boost efficiency while limiting environmental impact.
The scheme also promises to create hundreds of long-term data centre operation roles and around 1,200 permanent construction jobs across the build programme. A further 2,700 indirect or induced jobs could be supported through associated economic activity once the facility becomes operational.
Preparation now underway
With the latest approval in place, QTS can now begin site compound creation, vegetation clearance, perimeter fence repairs and early earthworks. This phase marks a clear move towards construction, which is expected to extend across several years.
Leader of Northumberland County Council Glen Sanderson says the approval is a clear step towards unlocking large-scale benefits.
“This marks another significant milestone for QTS/Blackstone and all of Northumberland, and is another big step forward towards realising the massive benefits and opportunities this scheme will bring,” says Glen. “It’s a multi-billion-pound vote of confidence in our county and it’s great to be now looking forward to work progressing on the ground in the near future.”
As part of the agreement struck with QTS, the County Council will receive a £110m (US$148.7m) fund, which is set to underpin further investment in jobs and infrastructure. This fund will focus on growth along the Northumberland Line, a key economic corridor that connects several communities and business zones across the region.
Focus on local hiring and training
Beyond the core infrastructure and construction commitments, QTS emphasises a long-term focus on regional development. This includes hiring staff from the local workforce, offering training opportunities and supporting skills growth across North East England.
Tag Greason, Co-Chief Executive Officer of QTS, confirms that the enabling works represent more than just physical progress.
“The enabling works approval is a major milestone and the first visible step in delivering on our shared vision with the Northumberland County Council,” says Tag.
“The Council’s leadership and collaboration has been instrumental in shaping a project that will bring long-term benefits to the North East region. As we take the next steps forward, we remain committed to hiring locally, supporting training and economic growth, and being responsible, engaged members of the community.”
This emphasis on inclusion and community engagement aligns with wider goals around responsible infrastructure delivery and public-private collaboration. The company’s statement echoes a broader intent to build data centre capability not just as physical assets but as long-term contributors to regional economic health.
One of the UK’s largest data centre builds
Once complete, the Cambois facility will become a central node in QTS’s digital infrastructure portfolio. Its scale and funding position it among the UK’s largest single-site data centre developments.
With planning permission in place and site preparation underway, the project now shifts towards delivery – a multi-year build which will shape the region’s technology and employment landscape.
As Northumberland takes a more prominent role in the UK’s data infrastructure network, the progress of this development will be watched closely by both the data centre sector and regional policymakers.
