en.Wedoany.com Reported - A company named Clearstone plans to develop an artificial intelligence data centre campus near Ebbsfleet, creating over 700 jobs during construction and 400 permanent positions once operational.

The Ebbsfleet AI Data Centre Campus covers 90 acres, situated on a 145-acre site adjacent to the HS1 railway line and the A2 motorway, with development costs expected to exceed £3 billion. The buildings on the campus are expected to occupy approximately 645,000 square feet, with infrastructure distributed across up to four units.

Clearstone plans to hold a public consultation in autumn 2026, followed by a planning application submission in 2028, aiming for operational status by 2030, subject to approval. If approved, the project would be one of the first data centres in the UK to follow the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) planning regime.

Simon Rothwell, Project Director at Clearstone, stated that the project represents an opportunity to create high-skilled local jobs and drive business growth in the Dartford area, while supporting the UK's goal of harnessing economic benefits from AI leadership. He noted that the aim is to develop the facility as a cutting-edge campus that boosts both the local and national economy, and responds sensitively to the surrounding environment through careful design and landscaping. Local residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on potential community benefits at upcoming project consultation events, with co-design sessions scheduled later this year.