Truman Estates Ltd and Zeloof LLP secure planning approval for 5,200 sq ft data center in Brick Lane, London

Type: Development · Technology: Data Center · Country: United Kingdom · Announced: 2026-08-11

The UK Secretary of State granted planning approval for a 5,200 sq ft data center in Brick Lane, London, overriding unanimous opposition from Tower Hamlets Council, the local mayor, and the Save Brick Lane campaign. Developed by Truman Estates Ltd and Zeloof LLP as part of a mixed-use masterplan, the facility is designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), which significantly influenced the decision despite its modest scale. The project includes five office buildings, a cinema, a supermarket, market space, and 44 residential units, with six earmarked for social rent. The data center's approval reflects the government's prioritization of data infrastructure needs over local housing demands, as Tower Hamlets had argued for a housing-led scheme given its 30,000+ social housing waiting list. The decision underscores the regulatory weight of CNI status for data centers, even for small urban facilities, and sets a precedent for future planning battles in densely populated areas.

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