Google's developers have significantly understated carbon emissions for two proposed AI datacentres in Essex, according to planning documents reviewed by the Guardian. The company plans to build a 52-hectare facility in Thurrock and another at North Weald airfield, both requiring environmental impact assessments.
The emissions figures in official planning submissions understate the projects' carbon contribution by a factor of five compared to accurate calculations. This discrepancy represents a material misrepresentation in documents that planning authorities rely on to evaluate environmental harm.
UK planning law requires developers to disclose how much carbon these projects will emit relative to the country's total carbon footprint. Google's submissions failed this requirement. The Thurrock site alone spans 130 acres and will consume substantial electricity for AI computing operations. Energy intensity for AI datacentres runs significantly higher than standard server facilities, yet the planning documents did not adequately reflect this reality.
A separate developer, Greystoke, submitted similar errors in emissions calculations for a Lincolnshire datacentre proposal. This pattern suggests systemic underestimation across the sector or deliberate minimization of environmental impact statements to ease planning approval.
The Guardian's analysis found the actual emissions profile substantially exceeds what developers reported to local planning authorities. Planning committees in Thurrock and Epping Forest made decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate environmental data. This matters because planning decisions hinge partly on carbon assessments, especially as local authorities work toward net-zero targets.
The UK faces escalating pressure to expand datacentre capacity as artificial intelligence deployment accelerates. Tech companies argue this infrastructure drives economic growth. However, these facilities generate grid demand that typically requires fossil fuel generation, particularly during peak usage hours. Accurate emissions accounting becomes essential for policymakers balancing economic benefits against climate commitments.
The Environment Agency and relevant local planning authorities now face questions about whether to revisit approvals based