North Devon AI Datacentre Revolt: Residents Fight Xlinks Project 2026

North Devon residents are standing up and fighting back against a vast AI datacentre proposed by Xlinks in the heart of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The planned 1.5GW hyperscale AI data campus, along with a 1.8GW battery energy storage system (BESS), has sparked a revolt in Great Torrington and surrounding villages, mirroring similar uprisings across the US.

The North Devon AI Datacentre Revolt: A Community United

Perched on an inland cliff, Great Torrington offers sweeping views of the UNESCO biosphere reserve, including the winding River Torridge and wildflower meadows. This pastoral landscape, steeped in history, now faces a 21st-century threat as the AI boom reaches its pubs, churches, and parish halls.

Xlinks, a British company, has secured about 344 hectares (850 acres) for the campus, which will feature five vast buildings ranging from 50 to 130 feet tall. While listed buildings on the site will be relocated and turned into a visitor centre, residents argue that the industrial scale of the project is incompatible with the protected landscape.

Why Residents Are Fighting the Xlinks AI Datacentre

Local opposition centres on environmental damage, visual impact, and the loss of tranquility. The UNESCO biosphere designation recognises the area's global ecological importance, and many fear that construction and operation will disrupt fragile ecosystems.

Moreover, the AI datacentre's massive energy demands—1.5GW—and the associated BESS raise concerns about local infrastructure and whether renewable energy sources can sustainably power such a facility without compromising the grid.

Key Takeaways from the North Devon Revolt

• Community mobilisation: Residents are organising through local meetings, petitions, and protests.
• Environmental concerns: The UNESCO biosphere reserve status is a major point of contention.
• Energy implications: The 1.5GW datacentre and 1.8GW BESS could strain local energy infrastructure.
• Precedent: This revolt is part of a growing global trend against AI datacentres in sensitive areas.

Comparing the Xlinks Project to Other AI Datacentres

As AI continues to expand, the demand for datacentres grows. However, the North Devon case highlights the tension between technological progress and environmental preservation.

The Future of AI Datacentres and Community Resistance

The North Devon revolt is not isolated. Across the US, similar battles are being fought as communities push back against the proliferation of AI datacentres. This raises questions about where and how these facilities should be built.

For Xlinks, the path forward is uncertain. The company must navigate local opposition, regulatory hurdles, and environmental assessments. Meanwhile, residents remain steadfast in their determination to protect their landscape.

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