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Planning: Data Centres

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 20 July 2026UIN 17930

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local planning authorities on assessing operational noise from data centres.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 70258 on 3 September 2025.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to noise pollution in planning policy. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

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