GALLERY | Microsoft campus moves forward at Skelton Grange
Leeds City Council will consider the hybrid application at its planning meeting next week and provide feedback on final technical details ahead of a decision on the data centre hub.
Microsoft’s plans consist of full permission for three large data centre buildings totalling 424,000 sq ft, alongside outline proposals for a warehouse and distribution facility measuring 160,000 sq ft.
Supported by Savills, the project team also includes architect TTSP, and engineering consultants HDR and Ramboll.
While discussions are ongoing around ecology, landscaping, and drainage, the council has indicated that none of the outstanding matters are considered substantial enough to affect the principle of development.
Councillors are being updated on the scheme’s progress as negotiations continue, and are being asked to consider the following key questions:
- Are they happy with the principle of the proposed development?
- Do they have any comments in relation to the design, layout and landscaping of the development?
- Do they have any comments in respect of the access and connectivity proposals?
- Do they have any comments in regards to the approach to reduce carbon emissions from the development?
The 65-acre site was previously part of Harworth’s landbank, and comprises brownfield land with an industrial history, including areas associated with the former Skelton Grange Power Station and the Knostrop site.
Microsoft bought the land – known as plot one – from Harworth for £53m in December last year and has also conditionally agreed to buy plot two for a further £53m.
Harworth will retain 16-acres at the Skelton Grange site, which will comprise 250,000 sq ft of employment space, in addition to 77-acres owned through the Aire Valley Land joint venture.
The site sits on the north-east bank of the River Aire and is accessed via Skelton Grange Road and bridge.
Click on any image to enlarge
- CGI aerial view of the campus. Credit: planning documents
- Credit: planning docs
- Credit: planning docs
- Credit: planning docs
- Credit: Space PR
- Credit: FTI
- Credit: FTI
Detailed proposals
Under the detailed element of the proposal, three standalone data centre buildings would be constructed, each measuring around 191 metres by 82 metres and rising to a maximum height of 32 metres, with identical internal layouts.
Each building would have three floors with eight-metre floor-to-ceiling heights and would be set within a secure campus featuring internal roads, landscaping, perimeter fencing and supporting infrastructure.
Ground floors would house ancillary accommodation, plant areas and office space, including open-plan offices, meeting rooms and secure areas.
Data halls and plant rooms would be located behind these spaces, with cooling galleries built along the external façades to maintain optimal temperatures.
The upper floors would accommodate additional data halls, with internal cooling systems and vertical cooling chimneys integrated into a central spine running through each building.
Associated facilities would include a security gatehouse, water treatment building, hydrant and sprinkler building, and other energy and cooling infrastructure required to operate the centres.
