Yesterday, Ian Cansfield attended DCS’ first ever Data Centre Roadshow in Newcastle, bringing together developers, utilities, planners, and technology leaders to explore how the region is responding to rapid growth in digital infrastructure and AI-led demand.
While sipping a flat white later on, Ian took a moment to reflect, and shared his key takeaways from a thought-provoking day of discussion before heading on to mingle at the inaugural North East Data Centre Hub networking event.
Key themes emerging from the conference:
🔸 Land, planning and power remain critical – securing grid capacity continues to be a central challenge nationally, although the North East is comparatively well positioned, with strong opportunities linked to renewable energy integration.
🔸 Planning flexibility is becoming essential – rapidly evolving site and building requirements mean that schemes have to move through planning efficiently while retaining flexibility within consents to respond to technological change.
🔸 AI is reshaping the demand on infrastructure – the conference discussion moved beyond enterprise computing toward consumer-led AI adoption, signalling significant changes in future facility design and operational needs.
🔸 Regional capability is strengthening – insights from organisations like Latos Data Centres and Northern Powergrid demonstrated that much of the technical expertise required to deliver future campuses already exists within the North East. Which is great news!
Ian commented: “The big takeaway for me was how closely land, planning, and power are now intertwined. As data centres transition toward AI-ready facilities, the ability to secure sites, coordinate infrastructure, and deliver adaptable planning permissions will be critical to keeping pace with investment and innovation.”
With the North East recently awarded AI Growth Zone status, the conversations reinforced just how much opportunity exists – and the important role planning and environmental expertise will play in enabling delivery at speed and scale.
Thanks to all who organised and contributed to the roadshow.
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