CAMPAIGNERS descended on Google's London headquarters yesterday (Wednesday, 4 November) to hand over a near 55,000-name petition opposing its controversial Thurrock data centre plans, but say the tech giant refused to accept it.

Buglife and other environmental groups took the petition urging Google to "search elsewhere" over plans for a major data centre campus at the former Arena Essex Raceway near Lakeside.

The 52-hectare site became a Local Wildlife Site in 2006 and campaigners say it supports hundreds of species, including rare bees, butterflies, nightingales and endangered broad-leaved cudweed.

Conservationists claim the development would destroy much of the wildlife site, including more than 80 per cent of its protected habitats.

Plans include up to four data-centre buildings covering 130,500 square metres and a separate office building.

Buglife programmes manager Jamie Robins said: "This petition makes it clear to Google that their Thurrock Data Centre plans are inappropriate and unwanted.

"This is simply the wrong place for a data centre and makes a mockery of Google's sustainability claims. During a nature and climate emergency, with our insects in decline, we should be protecting our precious wildlife sites and need powerful companies to lead and make better decisions."

Emily Buttress, of Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "Its loss would be devastating for the local area. It would fragment the ecological network even further, putting already at-risk wildlife under an even greater threat.

"We urge Google to listen to the 54,000 people who agree this site should be a home for wildlife, not a data centre."

Campaigners instead want Arena Essex opened as green space and a home for wildlife, alongside the return of Thurrock Hammers Speedway.

Google did not confirm or deny campaigners' claims that staff refused the petition.

A Google spokesperson said: "Data centres are vital to the UK, providing the critical infrastructure required to power our digital economy and the online services used by people in every corner of the UK.

"As we work to deliver this critical infrastructure, we share the Essex Wildlife Trust and Buglife's view that development at the former Arena Essex site must be sustainable.

"Our goal is to regenerate the site, bringing long-term investment and jobs to Thurrock while taking our environmental responsibilities very seriously.

"We are working closely with Natural England and ecological experts to guarantee a 10% biodiversity net gain.

"Our proposal also ensures a substantial part of the site is preserved for new public open space, green links, retained habitat, and the long-term enhancement of key woodland corridors."

The petition currently stands at 55,030 signatures, You can view it or add your name here.

Meanwhile, campaigners are planning a protest on Saturday (7 November) against another data centre planned on the borough's boundary with Havering.

Residents are campaigning against a 600MW data centre campus in North Ockendon, on 200 hectares of green belt farmland, and are joining forces with digital rights, environmental and community groups across the continent, with around 101 groups in 15 countries planning mass demonstrations, local actions, public events, book launches and even cycle rides.

A group spokesperson said: "We are taking action in Havering to protect not just our own area, but to also support and show solidarity to other groups globally. We are worried about the speed and scale of data centre expansion without adequate guardrails and protections.

"We are calling for a moratorium on new large scale data centres, so we can have a proper democratic debate to ensure a framework is put in place to protect local communities and the environment."