High-rise data centers proposed for planned film studio location

Large data centers, reaching heights of up to 23.5 meters (77 feet), are being considered for construction at the location designated for a future film studio. Wycombe Park Ltd, previously identified as Wycombe Film Studios, has presented revised proposals to Buckinghamshire Council, citing that “market conditions for the new studio space are uncertain”. The television and film studios received council approval in March 2023, with their intended placement on a section of Wycombe Air Park adjacent to the M40 motorway. These data centers, which function primarily as extensive storage facilities for information technology, telecommunications hardware, and computer server racks, are intended to support the operations of the film studios. A single sound stage has already been erected at the site, and the most recent proposals include the construction of an additional seven sound stages, alongside 10 workshops, four production buildings, a rehearsal area, and various other amenities. Currently, only preliminary plans for the data centers have been put forward by Wycombe Park Ltd, a company under the ownership of the Luxembourg-based investment firm SCIO Capital. Certain proposed specifications have been outlined, indicating that the data centers could reach a height of up to 20.5 meters (67 feet), with rooftop mechanical equipment potentially increasing their ultimate height to 23.5 meters (77 feet). Nevertheless, the proposals emphasize that the envisioned structures will not utilize the entirety of the available development space, and a ‘step down’ in building height restrictions is suggested for areas nearest to the residential zone at Claymoor Park. A comprehensive masterplan, which is separate from the preliminary application, illustrates six data halls, each possessing an approximate floor area of 9,300 square meters (110,100 square feet), as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The applicant, however, clarified that this was incorporated solely as an explanatory illustration. Furthermore, the plans indicate the implementation of ‘strong’ landscaping along the perimeter of the development, including the planting of new trees and the creation of an ‘earth bund’ for visual screening. The proposals from architecture firm LEAD Studio declare: “Due to substantial market demand our client has decided to submit this additional application for data centre use, with the brief of creating potential for an optimised, open, campus-style development.” For news updates from Beds, Herts, and Bucks, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.