By bbc.com
Publication Date: 2025-12-14 06:15:00
Plans by Google to build a huge data centre at a former RAF airfield have been approved.
The new campus at North Weald Airfield near Harlow in Essex is expected to create up to 780 local jobs and generate £79m per year for the local economy.
Epping Forest District Council’s planning committee approved the outline planning application for the project on Wednesday.
Alan Lion, the Conservative vice-chairman on the committee, said: “Google coming here is something of an advantage to Epping Forest because it does provide certain additional benefits.”
A report put before councillors said the project would create 780 local jobs, which included up to 200 “direct jobs”, and that it would also generate £319m for the national economy.
Google plans to demolish fire station blocks, construct two data centre buildings and separate offices, internal roads and car parking.
