A climate group has expressed concern at plans to build Europe's largest data centre on green belt land in Havering.

Havering Friends of the Earth said Havering Council should be considering plans from Digital Reef to build the centre in Upminster through a full planning application, rather than a local development order (LDO).

An LDO removes the need of a developer, such as Digital Reef, to apply for planning permission.

By granting an LDO, the council would give Digital Reef permission to build the fifteen warehouses and infrastructure in one go.

“Green belt should be protected and not allowed to be gradually taken away,” said Havering Friends of the Earth.

“The promise of jobs is not likely to benefit local people, and we understand that most data centres outlive their usefulness in nine or ten years,” said the group.

“What is the environmental impact on thousands of workers on the site?”

RELATED NEWS: Planning applications submitted to Havering Council in the last week

The proposed centre would be 15 warehouse-sized data storage facilities within a 500-acre “ecology park” on farmland to the east of Upminster and Cranham.

An April cabinet report said the data centre has the potential to create up to 9,900 jobs, with an expected income for the council of up to £13.5 million to 2025 in business rates.

Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council, also said that there would be an additional £9m development premium.

But David Taylor, Conservative councillor for St Edwards in Romford, said the real number of jobs should be clarified and claimed the day to day running of the site would only require a few dozen people.

"Havering Council must approach the data centre with the highest levels of caution and scrutiny," he said.

Cllr Taylor also accused the council leader of focusing on the financial benefits.

Cllr Morgon hit back at Cllr Taylor's comments and said the scheme would create jobs, increase the council's income and include a public consultation.

He felt Councillor Taylor "would rather see one of the biggest investments in Europe go elsewhere".

Cllr Morgon said: "Whichever planning route is taken it will include public consultation where our residents, including Havering Friends of the Earth and David Taylor, can express their views."

Digital Reef did not respond to a request for comment.