Residents living near a planned data centre in Park Royal have protested over concerns that another data centre in the area could add to problems with dust, noise and heat.
Locals from the nearby Wesley Estate protested outside the site of the planned Kao Data development at Frogmore Industrial Estate, Acton Lane, NW10, earlier this month (17 July 2026), ahead of demolition work.
Campaigners argue that the existing air-quality monitoring network does not provide continuous automatic coverage across the Park Royal data centre cluster capable of detecting short-term pollution spikes and want continuous automatic monitoring across the cluster.
Joining residents at the protest were North Acton Labour councillor Blerina Hashani and Brent Green councillors Amandine Alexander, who represents Harlesden and Kensal Green, and Suzanne Gallagher, who represents Kilburn, alongside members of Ealing Friends of the Earth, Parents for Future and Pull the Plug.
Councillor Hashani voiced her concerns about the proposed data centre and said a controlled parking zone (CPZ) survey would be carried out following residents’ complaints about parking by workers at existing data centres.
Separately, 14 Green councillors across Ealing and Brent, including North Acton councillor Marijn van de Geer, have written to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) objecting to the demolition application.
Campaigners have pointed to Ealing Council’s 2024 air-quality report, which found nitrogen dioxide readings at monitoring locations across the NW10 area exceeded World Health Organisation guidelines. They say another data centre could worsen air quality, noise and heat.
Wesley Estate resident Pam Hughes, 83, said she recorded a temperature of 39C in her home during last month’s heatwave.
She said: “The news said the maximum was 37 degrees. My thermometer showed 39. I’ve lived here a long time. It’s been hell, and it’s still hell.”
Another resident, Eibhlis Harrington, described the impact of living close to the existing Vantage Data Centre on North Acton Road.
She said: “The dust from this data centre is unbelievable. We haven’t had a break from drilling and grinding in years and it still continues. My mental health is suffering from the noise and dirt.”
Responding to the campaigners’ concerns, Ealing Council told EALING.NEWS there is “continuous automatic air quality monitoring in or around Park Royal”. It said air quality is monitored through automatic monitoring stations, Breathe London sensors and diffusion tubes, and that it also operates an automatic monitoring station on Western Avenue, near Park Royal Road, with data available through Clean Air Ealing.
The council said it regularly reviews its air-quality monitoring network and, as part of next year’s review of its Air Quality Action Plan, will consider evidence supporting the need for changes or additional monitoring.
Asked whether it had assessed the cumulative impact of existing and proposed data centres in Park Royal and North Acton, Ealing Council told EALING.NEWS it was “not aware of any specific assessment of the cumulative impact of all existing and proposed data centres in Park Royal and North Acton area on air quality and local temperatures”. It added that it would continue to consider any new evidence, guidance and policy as the area develops.
OPDC told EALING.NEWS there are already 11 passive and three continuous monitoring stations across its area. It said more than £100,000 has been secured through developer contributions towards Ealing Council’s Air Quality Action Plan, including funding to maintain the monitoring network.
OPDC added that it supports additional monitoring where evidence shows it is needed and will work with Ealing and Brent councils during Ealing’s review of its Air Quality Action Plan.
The development corporation said any planning application for the redevelopment would be assessed against Local Plan Policy EU4, which supports developments that contribute to improved air quality by providing new automatic air-quality monitoring or contributing towards it through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.
OPDC also said the developer would be required to monitor air quality during demolition, share raw monitoring data and any air-quality alerts with OPDC and Ealing Council, and provide reports setting out any issues identified, investigations undertaken and action taken. It said any evidence of non-compliance would be investigated and, where appropriate, enforcement action taken.
Brent Council confirmed its nearest air-quality monitor in Park Royal, at Central Way, provides average monthly readings and is not designed to capture short-term pollution spikes or construction dust.
The council said the proposed development falls outside its planning jurisdiction and that monitoring the impacts of construction is the responsibility of the developer under the planning process. It added that residents experiencing dust pollution within Brent should report it to the council so it could be investigated.
Responding to residents’ concerns, Adam Nethersole, senior vice president at Kao Data, told EALING.NEWS: “As a responsible data centre developer, we understand and recognise the concerns of the communities surrounding the Park Royal data centre development. Our goal with the facility, as with all our sites, is to become a positive, long-term neighbour and contributor to the community, and not an anonymous data centre operator.”
Mr Nethersole said no major works had yet been undertaken, with only a site review and soil investigations completed.
He said demolition had been approved by OPDC and would be carried out in accordance with the approved planning submission, including a dust management plan, a background noise survey and a demolition, construction and environmental management plan.
Mr Nethersole said: “Our appointed demolition and construction partner will be responsible for implementing a comprehensive range of environmental control measures throughout the works. These include perimeter hoarding to limit dust spread, water misting to suppress dust at source, and the use of dust, noise and vibration monitoring systems with real-time alerts to identify if agreed thresholds are exceeded.
“They will also maintain robust procedures for recording and responding to any complaints or exceedances, with Kao Data overseeing the delivery of these commitments.”
The company said its data centres use free-air cooling technology designed to reduce thermal output and that it is studying ambient temperatures at its existing sites in Harlow and Slough.
Mr Nethersole said: “We are currently undertaking a detailed study of ambient temperatures at our operational campuses in Harlow and Slough and we will be pleased to share this data with the Park Royal community.”
Kao Data also said it plans further community meetings, a construction working group and the appointment of a dedicated community liaison officer.
