Scotland’s planning system ‘key to realising data centre investment’

According to Lichfields, clearer policy and faster decision-making could help deliver major economic growth and new jobs across the country.

Despite Scotland’s outstanding natural and technical advantages, producing 113% of its electricity consumption from renewables in 2022, delivery remains limited compared with other parts of the UK. Data centres currently contribute around £4.7 billion to the UK economy each year, but industry analysis suggests an additional £44bn could be generated by 2035 through construction and operation.

Lichfields has found that Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) took a positive first step by designating ‘green’ data centres as national developments. However, the policy gives little locational guidance and lacks the clarity developers need to invest with confidence. While England is moving towards faster consent routes for digital infrastructure, Scotland’s system is yet to offer the same level of support.

Dan Evans, associate director at Lichfields, said: “Scotland already has the ingredients for a successful data centre sector - clean power, skills and available land. The challenge now is to ensure the planning process keeps pace with market demand. Clearer policy direction, backed by practical tools for local authorities, would send a strong signal to investors that Scotland is open for digital infrastructure.

“In many cases, developers aren’t asking for special treatment – they just need certainty and a consistent approach across local areas. Interim national guidance, faster routes for strategic sites and early coordination with energy providers could make a real difference. It’s also about recognising that data centres underpin every part of the modern economy, from AI to financial services, and need to be planned for in the same way as housing or transport.

“By using existing planning mechanisms more confidently, Scotland can secure new investment, support its net-zero targets and build capacity for the industries that will define its future growth.”

The report outlines practical next steps including interim planning guidance to give consistency across authorities, identifying suitable land within new Local Development Plans and using Masterplan Consent Areas to simplify consents for large or complex sites.

It highlights the £3.9bn redevelopment of the former Ravenscraig steelworks in North Lanarkshire, which will include one of the UK’s largest AI-ready data centres, supporting 2,000 long-term jobs and delivering a £1.2bn construction boost, as an example of what coordinated planning and investment can achieve.

Dan added: “With demand for digital infrastructure rising across every sector, from AI and financial services to life sciences and clean energy, Scotland has an opportunity to lead. If planning, energy and economic policy move together, the benefits will extend well beyond the data centre industry to the wider Scottish economy and workforce.”