Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 17932

Land: Data Centres

Tabled: 10 July 2026

Answered: 16 July 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cumulative loss of agricultural land resulting from data centre developments.

Answer

Mary Creagh

The expansion of AI infrastructure is critical to the UK's long-term economic growth, resilience, and global competitiveness. Government is working with industry to improve understanding of the demand for agricultural land. National planning policy gives ...

ⓘ

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 17932) →