Scottish Police Warn of Larbert Datacentre Opposition 2026

Scottish police have warned that a proposed datacentre in Larbert will require robust security measures to prevent disruption amid growing public opposition. The warning highlights the escalating tension between UK digital infrastructure ambitions and local community concerns.

Police Warning on Datacentre Security

In a letter submitted during the planning consultation, Police Scotland stated that a 'great deal of public opposition is likely' to the Larbert datacentre project. The letter, addressed to the developer Apatura, urged the company to collaborate with police to 'prevent unplanned incursions for the purposes of disruption.'

This marks one of the first official acknowledgments of the mounting public unease surrounding datacentre developments across the UK. Police Scotland declined to comment further, but the letter signals a new layer of complexity for developers.

Why Public Opposition Is Growing

Local residents and environmental groups are increasingly concerned about the massive energy consumption and land use of hyperscale datacentres. In Larbert, a protest on Thursday drew over 100 people, and nearly 7,000 objections have been filed against the proposed development.

These concerns are not isolated. Across Scotland, at least 23 hyperscale datacentre projects are in the planning process, according to the charity Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS). Combined, these projects would use more than one and a half times Scotland's peak power demand.

Energy and Grid Strain

The energy requirements of datacentres are a central issue. Scotland's grid is already under pressure, and adding multiple hyperscale facilities could exacerbate supply challenges. Research groups warn of a glut of 'zombie projects' waiting to connect to the grid, many of which may never become operational.

This has led to calls for a moratorium. This summer, the Scottish National Party passed a motion to freeze all new datacentres in Scotland. If this becomes government policy, it could pose a serious threat to the UK's AI strategy, which relies heavily on expanded datacentre capacity.

Comparison of Datacentre Projects in Scotland

Protests and Political Pressure

Protests are planned in the coming weeks, including one in Edinburgh in early September when the Scottish parliament returns. Campaigners argue that datacentres provide few local jobs and consume resources that could be used for housing or renewable energy storage.

The police letter suggests that the scale of opposition is significant enough to require security planning. This is a rare admission that civil disruption is a realistic possibility, reflecting the deep community anger.

Impact on UK AI Strategy

British officials have been actively pushing datacentre developers to build in Scotland, viewing it as a key part of the UK's AI growth plan. However, a freeze would stall these efforts, potentially driving investment to other countries.

Balancing local concerns with national digital ambitions is a growing challenge. The Larbert case may set a precedent for how other projects are handled, making it a critical moment for policy makers.

Key Takeaways

• Police Scotland warns of likely public opposition and need for security measures at Larbert datacentre.
• Nearly 7,000 objections filed, with protests drawing over 100 people.
• 23 hyperscale projects in planning would use 1.5x Scotland's peak power.
• SNP motion to freeze datacentres could threaten UK AI strategy.
• Energy grid strain and 'zombie projects' add to viability concerns.

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