A nine-year-old girl has joined residents in opposing a proposed £13 billion artificial intelligence data centre that could occupy up to 850 acres of countryside near Great Torrington in Devon.
Demelza May, who lives with her family on a nearby farm, is campaigning against the development proposed by Xlinks.
The planned campus would be located between Great Torrington, Huntshaw and Weare Gifford, approximately one mile from the town.
Working alongside her mother, 30-year-old Daisy Hiron-Snow, Demelza has become one of the outspoken opponents of the project since residents were informed about the proposals through leaflets delivered to their homes in June.
Demelza Raises Environmental Concerns at Council Meeting
The schoolgirl addressed Torridge District Council to explain her concerns about the potential effects of the development on the local environment and surrounding communities.
She warned that the project could damage the countryside, destroy wildlife habitats and place pressure on local water supplies.
Demelza said: “I don’t want this, and I’m going to try and stop it with everything I’m doing.
“It’ll take away a huge area of land and change our home forever. It makes me really sad because all the wildlife will be crushed – they won’t have a home.”
She also questioned the implications of the project for future generations, saying: “It’s not right for the world. It’s not right for my future. It’s not right for everyone’s future.”
Her appearance at the council meeting took place on October 26.
More Than 37,700 People Sign Petition Against Development
Opposition to the proposed campus has continued to grow, with more than 37,700 people signing a petition demanding that the project be abandoned.
The development, described as potentially Europe’s largest data centre, would also include 1,720 battery storage units.
Residents have raised concerns about the scale of the proposed infrastructure and its proximity to Great Torrington, arguing that the project could fundamentally alter the town and its surrounding countryside.
The Daily Mail first reported the plans in July, following their announcement to residents in June.
Mother Warns of Potential Impact on Local Industries
Daisy Hiron-Snow, a local business owner, said her concerns increased after she began examining the details of the proposal and researching its possible effects.
She believes the development could have serious implications for the area’s tourism and agricultural industries.
“We believe it’s probably the biggest data centre campus in the world, and the battery storage facility would be in the top 10 biggest in the world,” she said.
Daisy added that although she initially considered the proposal unacceptable, further research had strengthened her concerns about its potential consequences.
“I always thought the proposal was bad, but the more I’ve researched, I realise that it could be catastrophic,” she said.
Residents Question Scale of Battery Storage Facilities
Matt Whittaker, 59, a former trustee of Torrington Town Hall, also joined the opposition after attending a public meeting on June 25, when the development was announced.
He said residents were determined to demonstrate why the proposed location was unsuitable for a project of this scale.
“We know that this data centre cannot go here but we are going to prove it,” he said.
“Everyone is up in arms but we are doing it in an intelligent way.
We are driven by emotion but we are not distracted by our hearts. It won’t just destroy the town, it’s far bigger than that.”
Whittaker also questioned an AI-generated illustration showing what the completed development might look like, arguing that it did not accurately represent the proposed infrastructure.
He said the illustration showed 112 containers, whereas the actual proposal could involve more than 2,300 battery containers.
He also raised concerns about their proximity to a school, which he said was approximately one and a half miles away, and the noise generated by their cooling systems.
According to Whittaker, the cooling equipment could produce noise levels of 65 decibels.
Xlinks has described the illustration as an early visual representation that does not accurately reflect either the proposed site or the full development scheme.
Xlinks Sets Out Employment and Economic Benefits
Xlinks says the proposed data centre would help meet increasing demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure in the UK while supporting a long-term commitment to clean energy.
The company estimates that the completed development could generate between 650 and 1,200 jobs and contribute approximately £3.6 billion to the UK economy.
Although Xlinks holds an option on land covering up to 850 acres, the company’s current proposed layout would use approximately one-third of the available area.
The developer also said most of the remaining land would be allocated to environmental measures and public open spaces, including woodland.
Planning Approval Still Pending
No formal planning applications have yet been submitted for the proposed development.
Any applications eventually presented will be considered by Torridge District Council’s planning committee, which will determine their outcome.
A spokesperson for the council confirmed that Demelza had been welcomed to address its full council meeting on October 26.
The spokesperson said the issue had attracted considerable interest locally and praised the nine-year-old for expressing her concerns.
The council added that it was encouraging to see young people participating in democratic processes and recognising their right to have their voices heard.
It also encouraged residents of all ages to participate in discussions and express their views on issues affecting their communities.
