Scotland votes for moratorium on new large-scale datacentres for up to a year

Scottish lawmakers have approved a temporary freeze on new AI datacentre planning applications, delaying approvals for up to a year while the government establishes a national strategy. The move, supported by Scottish Labour, could disrupt plans aligned with the UK’s broader AI ambitions. Critics argue the pause may hinder technological growth, while environmental concerns remain central to the decision. The delay will now hinge on the development of stricter environmental impact assessments for future projects.

MSPs bring in strict environmental impact assessments and will delay decisions until national strategy is developedHolyrood has voted to pause planning applications for all new AI datacentres for up to a year until the Scottish government has developed a national strategy.On Wednesday, MSPs backed a Scottish Labour motion to halt new schemes for up to 12 months while rules on hyperscale datacentres are developed in what could be a blow to the British government’s AI strategy. Continue reading...