Plans have been unveiled for a huge new data centre campus covering around 60 hectares of land in Little Bollington.
Developer Innova is proposing the Spodegreen Data Centre on land south of Lymm Road, immediately north of the M56 and west of the A556.
The site is within Little Bollington, which has an Altrincham postal address but falls administratively within Cheshire East, and within a mile of the Swan with Two Nicks.
It would accommodate a campus-style development designed to allow multiple data centre operators to locate there.
The emerging plans include data halls housing servers and other equipment, offices and security buildings, electricity infrastructure and backup power generation.
They also feature a district heating energy centre, an educational facility known as a "Living Lab", a solar farm, rooftop solar panels and solar canopies over parts of the site's car parks.
Large areas of landscaping and green infrastructure are proposed across the approximately 60-hectare site.
Data centres house the servers and other infrastructure used to store and process the enormous quantities of information required for services including websites, apps, cloud computing, streaming, online banking and public services.
Demand for such facilities has increased rapidly as the use of cloud computing and artificial intelligence has grown, while the Government designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure in 2024.
Innova says its Spodegreen development is expected to support approximately 350 full-time jobs once the campus is operational, as well as creating opportunities for businesses and suppliers across Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
The company estimates the completed development could generate around £20 million in additional business rates for Cheshire East Council.
It is also proposing a "Living Lab", which would provide training space for staff and apprentices as well as hosting teaching days and STEM events intended to encourage young people into technology, construction and environmental careers.
Innova says it intends to work with colleges and universities in the region to develop apprenticeship and training opportunities.
Heat from servers could be reused
One element of the project currently being investigated is whether heat generated by the data centre could be captured and put to use elsewhere.
Data centres generate substantial quantities of heat and require cooling systems to keep their equipment operating.
The Spodegreen proposals envisage a hybrid air and closed-loop water cooling system, which Innova says would keep water consumption to a minimum.
The developer is assessing whether waste heat could be used by nearby businesses or other properties through a local heat network. Heat would also potentially be used within the site's offices and Living Lab.
A solar array is proposed on land to the west of Coe Lane, alongside rooftop solar panels and solar canopies over sections of the car parks.
According to Innova, the solar farm would generate the equivalent amount of electricity required by the district heating energy centre, offices and Living Lab, while the car park canopies would help provide power for electric vehicle charging.
The data centre itself would connect directly to the local electricity grid.
New landscaping
The developer says the scheme will be "landscape-led", with existing trees and hedgerows retained and enhanced where possible.
Plans include new woodland and wildlife habitats as well as substantial green buffers around the development.
The main entrance would use existing access from Lymm Road and Chester Road, with a secondary access further west along Lymm Road intended only for essential circumstances.
Innova has already submitted the site for consideration as part of Cheshire East Council's emerging Local Plan, including its call for sites consultation earlier this year.
Site surveys and environmental assessments are now taking place and will help determine the final design ahead of a planning application.
A planning application is currently expected to be submitted to Cheshire East Council during 2026/27.
Public consultation
Residents will get their first opportunity to see the plans at a public consultation event next Wednesday (September 30).
It will take place at High Legh Village Hall, West Lane, Knutsford, from 4pm until 8pm.
Innova says the event will allow people to learn more about the development, see the initial proposals and provide feedback before the plans are finalised.
The developer is also exploring the creation of a Community Benefit Fund and is asking residents for views about how money from such a fund could be used locally.
A second public event is planned for the winter, when more detailed proposals and the results of environmental surveys are expected to be presented.
The wider public consultation is running through September and October.
People can also comment on the proposals by emailing contact@spodegreendc.com or calling 0800 707 4103.
