The £10bn Northumberland data centre has secured formal approval for preparatory site works, marking a major milestone in one of the UK’s largest inward investment projects. The decision clears the way for the delivery phase of the development, with completion of Phase A targeted for autumn 2026.

The Blackstone-owned QTS data centre campus will be located at Cambois, on the site of the former Blyth Power Station and battery factory. Earlier this year, the project received planning permission for a development spanning 540,000 sq m (5.8 million sq ft) across up to ten buildings. The campus will feature advanced digital infrastructure supported by a sustainable closed-loop water system.

The project is expected to deliver a substantial boost to the region’s economy, creating hundreds of permanent jobs to operate the facility, 1,200 long-term construction jobs during the build phase, and an additional 2,700 indirect jobs across supply chains and local services. Northumberland County Council will also benefit from a linked £110m employment and growth fund, with investment targeted along the Northumberland Line economic corridor.

Approval has been granted for Phase A enabling works, which include establishing site compounds, vegetation clearance, security fencing, and major earthworks. These preparatory activities will pave the way for full-scale construction, supported by advisers Arcadis and consulting firms including Corgan and Cundall.

Council leaders hailed the development as a multi-billion-pound vote of confidence in Northumberland, citing its potential to drive employment, growth, and long-term prosperity. The project also underpins the UK government’s ambitions to boost digital infrastructure and establish the country as a global AI superpower, positioning Northumberland at the forefront of this transformation.

With the green light for site works now confirmed, the Northumberland data centre project officially moves from planning to physical delivery, heralding a new era of technological innovation and economic opportunity for the region.