Council leader calls for 'laser-like focus' in bringing massive projects like Google's data centre to Thurrock

By Nub News Reporter 26th Aug 2026

Local News by Nub News Reporter 44 minutes ago

DESPITE a long and growing list of campaign groups opposing plans for a massive new data centre in the borough, and hundreds of local letters of opposition, Thurrock Council's leader has thrown his weight behind the scheme.

Notwithstanding election campaign pledges to protect Thurrock's green belt, since Reform took control of the authority in May, a number of controversial schemes have been passed by its councillors.

Reform Thurrock's Facebook page says it is committed to saving the green belt.

Now leader Cllr Richard Bingley has thrown his weight behind one of the biggest planned developments – on the site of the former Arena Essex Raceway site where media giants Google want to build a massive data centre.

His comments oppose those of a large number of residents and groups who believe the development equates to 'environmental destruction' and will bring substantially underestimated carbon emissions. Critics project the facility will emit roughly 570,000 tonnes of CO2.

Conservation groups like Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust point out that the project would concrete over 32 acres of a designated local wildlife site which is home to rare plants, birds, bees, and butterflies.

The opposition has united local groups, including motorcycling and speedway fans tied to the historic site alongside environmental charities, with online petitions gathering more than 30,000 signatures.

Among the loudest voices against the site is environmental group Foxglove which is gathering opposition via its website to Google's planning application, where almost 1,000 public comments have been registered – 934 of them opposing the development.

Google's site development plan.

Buglife says the data centre scheme is 'a race to the bottom'.

The environmental opposition appears to have by-passed Cllr Bingley who says it is 'vital' the council backs the drive to bring firms like Google to the borough.

Reflecting on recent exam results in his regular 'Leader's message'. Cllr Bingley says: "We want every child and young person, regardless of background, to have access to the skills, support and opportunities they need to succeed.

"Thurrock benefits from a wide range of post-16 options, including sixth-form provision, apprenticeships and further education through not only our local colleges but also the many excellent opportunities available through apprenticeships with local businesses to train on the job for a skilled profession and rewarding career.

"As well as ensuring that we, as a local authority, adopt a laser-like focus on attracting high value jobs into our Borough by encouraging global firms such as Google and other tech giants to establish large-scale operations here."

Residents can pass comment on Google's plans via the council's planning portal here.