UK ministers had time for AI datacenter bosses, but not for environmental groups
A Spotlight on Corruption report found that 84% of the stakeholders ministers met about datacenters between July 2024 and June 2026 were businesses or trade associations, while environmental groups got no meetings with ministers or senior officials. Ministers met only two community groups, both after AI Growth Zone designations had already been decided, and no national public consultation was held. It matters because the zones offer developers faster planning decisions and grid access while residents bear the electricity, water and community impacts, so who gets a say in the decisions is in question.
SOURCES
- Hacker News (AI)2026-10-30 15:13