Campaigners oppose £2bn rural data centre 'monster' in Borders

A data centre which developers say would represent a £2bn investment at a rural spot in the Borders has been described by opponents as a "monster" which would drain "the life and beauty from the landscape". The Sunlaws Development Company (SDC) said it would create 145 high-quality local jobs with its Southside proposal at a site to the west of Duns between the villages of Longformacus and Westruther. However, a campaign group has urged those behind the project to drop their plans. Kathleen White, a member of Save the Lammermuirs – Stop the Data Centre, (SLSDC) said they believed it was "the wrong development in the wrong place". SDC - formed by Roxburghe Estates and the local landowner - said the project could create 1,000 jobs in the construction phase. It said it would mainly be powered by wind farms due to the proximity of a large number of them. It added that the location also benefited from "comparatively low temperatures" which mean it would not need to draw on local water supplies for cooling purposes. The company said its draft proposals showed three two-storey buildings "screened into the landscape" with "green roofs" planted with moorland species designed to blend in. Ho

Jun 2, 2026 → Jun 2, 2026