UK ministers had plenty of time for AI datacenter bosses, but none for environmental groups

Local residents found themselves excluded from decisions regarding AI Growth Zones, despite the government actively engaging with industry leaders.

A report from Spotlight on Corruption revealed that between July 2024 and June 2026, 84 percent of the stakeholders ministers met concerning datacenters were businesses or private-sector trade associations. Environmental groups, conversely, received zero meetings with senior officials or ministers.

The findings cast doubt on the input of communities into Britain's AI Growth Zones, which the government intends to attract billions in investment by streamlining infrastructure development for AI ambitions. The report, titled Zoned Out, noted that ministers met representatives from 137 different businesses over the two-year span, while directors general and permanent secretaries held no meetings with community groups about datacenters.

Ministers engaged with only two community groups, and both interactions occurred after their areas had already been designated as AI Growth Zones; one meeting took place on the day of the designation announcement. Furthermore, the government neglected to hold a national public consultation on its AI Growth Zone strategy, overlooking potential effects on water consumption, electricity supplies, and local populations.

Even local councils faced hurdles; half of the ten local authorities and devolved governments affected by the five announced zones reported no communication with DSIT officials or ministers beyond submitting their applications.

The government has shown greater deference to the companies erecting these facilities, offering them faster planning decisions and improved access to electricity infrastructure to rapidly expand the nation's computing capacity.

Spotlight also criticized the AI Energy Council, which includes representatives from Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services but lacks environmental NGOs. Its Sustainability Working Group conducted only one meeting between April 2025 and July 2026.

The campaign group demands a halt to new AI Growth Zones and datacenters until rules are tightened regarding public consultation and developers are required to disclose their anticipated electricity and water usage, along with emissions.