Tune into the latest episode of the Concilio Better Places Podcast, where Concilio’s Managing Director, Nick Dines and top UK energy planner and Senior Director at Quod, Carly Vince, discuss the essential role of data centres, their designation as Critical National Infrastructure, and the challenges and opportunities shaping their future.

Data centres power almost every aspect of modern life, from streaming services like Netflix to online banking and social media. Their significance has been further underscored by their recent designation as Critical National Infrastructure, placing them alongside water, energy, and emergency services. But what does this mean for planning systems and future development?

Nick and Carly discuss this and much more, including the evolution of the planning framework to support data centre development, the introduction of AI Growth Zones, and the energy challenges posed by these digital powerhouses. The pair also explore the potential of bespoke planning use classes and what this could mean for accelerating data centre projects in the UK.

With insights into economic growth opportunities, community benefits, and the critical infrastructure needed to support this booming sector, this episode provides an essential look at how data centres are shaping our future.