Planning Approval Granted for £100M Stockton Data Centre

Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 7, Latos Data Centres has received planning approval to construct the UK’s first “neural edge” AI data centre in Stockton-on-Tees, North East England. The £100 million facility, located at Preston Farm Industrial Estate, is set to begin construction in the fourth quarter of 2025, with operations expected to start in early 2027. The project will boost the local economy by prioritizing North-East suppliers and contractors, creating jobs and strengthening the region’s digital infrastructure.

Unlike traditional cloud data centres, the neural edge facility brings AI processing closer to businesses and communities, reducing processing times from seconds to milliseconds. This enables advanced applications such as augmented reality, smart manufacturing, predictive healthcare, and next-generation digital services, providing local businesses with faster access to cutting-edge AI technology.

“Stockton-on-Tees made history 200 years ago when it launched the railway age, transforming the world,” said Mike Carlin, CEO of Latos. “Today, we’re making history again by bringing the AI revolution to the same pioneering place. Just as the Stockton to Darlington Railway revolutionised how people lived and worked in the 19th century, the neural edge facilities we’re building today will have a similar effect, well into the 21st century.” He added, “We are grateful to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for its partnership and support to date. We’re looking forward to working closely with the Council as building works progress.”

The facility aligns with Stockton-on-Tees’ 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway, positioning the town as a hub for modern technological innovation, much like its historical role in transportation. The data centre is part of Latos’ broader plan to develop 40 neural edge facilities across the UK by 2030, following a major hyper-scale project in Cardiff. This network aims to keep the UK at the forefront of AI innovation by delivering ultra-low latency processing and ensuring data sovereignty.

Latos, with 30 years of experience in building critical digital infrastructure, specializes in distributed AI processing. The Stockton-on-Tees project enhances the UK’s digital economy, fostering innovation and economic growth through advanced AI capabilities tailored to local and regional needs.