CyrusOne has announced plans for a brand-new data center facility on the outskirts of London, leading with sustainability, community and biodiversity at its core. As its sixth location in the UK, LON6 is set to deliver 90 megawatts of IT capacity, and represents the next step in CyrusOne’s ongoing development program for growth and expansion across Europe.
Located in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, the LON6 data center will deliver IT capacity to 30,000 square meters of technical space across four double-story and two single-story data halls. The development is expected to break ground in Q3 2026. With initial power due to arrive mid 2027, the first capacity is expected to be delivered in early 2028.
“This development marks an important step in our European growth journey,” said Matt Pullen, EVP and Managing Director, Europe, CyrusOne. “We’re thrilled to be announcing our plans for this new facility and continuing our growth in London. As demand for digital services continues to accelerate, larger facilities are necessary to provide the economies of scale that customers need, while also ensuring maximum functionality and mitigated risk of downtime. The UK market enables us to respond to these requirements, and we look forward to continuing our expansion and supporting the Government to establish the UK as a center of excellence in digital services for technology innovation.”
Secretary of State for Science Peter Kyle said: “This fantastic new facility will help to power many of our online tasks, from navigating with online maps, to messaging and shopping online and we are committed to growing this vital infrastructure and giving the UK the opportunity to thrive in the 21st century.
“Through our AI Opportunities Action Plan, we promised to transform these digital powerhouses into platforms for progress, creating jobs and unlocking breakthroughs that will benefit people across the country. As a result of this new facility in Buckinghamshire, local people will benefit from the creation of 540 long term new jobs, including roles in engineering, sustainability and security, and over 30 apprenticeship opportunities for young people – turbocharging economic growth in the area and helping us deliver on our Plan for Change.”
Sustainability and Biodiversity Net Gain
Set into the ground, with green roofs and planted walls, the facility is designed to be fully integrated into the landscape. It will deliver a 71% Biodiversity Net Gain for local habitats – more than seven times higher than the 10% required by government regulation – alongside a host of community benefits. The data center is designed to achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” certification and will provide on-site photovoltaic panels to deliver 64% of the regulated office energy demand. Powered from Iver Grid Supply Point, the design uses 100% certified renewable electricity provided by SSEN.
The project will restore and reconnect the landscape, improving the site’s biodiversity through the creation of an ecologically rich parkland and new habitats that will enhance the quality of the Colne Valley Regional Park. Extensive landscaping plans include the planting of 670 trees (including 145 fruit trees), over 7,000 square metres of woodland and 90,600 square metres of mixed meadow and acid grassland. 72,800 square meters of the newly created green biodiverse space will be accessible to the public, with an edible landscape, a biodiverse lake, woodland walks and a cycle path for the local community to enjoy. Importantly, CyrusOne has also committed to a long term Landscape Ecological Management Plan which will ensure maintenance and continued public access to the space for a minimum of 25 years.
A ‘hidden valley’ will provide an access road around the building, with landscaped terraces providing daylight, fresh air and striking views from the exposed timber framed customer and employee offices. Rainwater collection is to be treated and reused within the site, alongside free air cooling from ambient air whenever possible and half of the designated parking spaces will provide on-site charging hubs for electric cars.
Community Dividend
The proposal is responsive to the needs of the local community and provides a range of benefits, encapsulated in a total investment of more than £1.2 billion into the local and national economy. The campus is set to include a stone gabion clad training center with industry-specific facilities for employees and students sitting within the campus, but outside of the secure perimeter for easy access. This long-term commitment to developing specialist skills extends CyrusOne’s successful partnership with the UTC Heathrow to improve economic and educational opportunities for the local and wider area. It is estimated that over 580 full time equivalent (FTE) construction jobs will be created over the development phase and a further 540 FTE skilled employees will be required by CyrusOne and its customers to maintain and run the facility once fully operational, providing competitive salaries that will boost the local economy.
“We’ve been working hand-in-hand with Apt, Atelier Ten, Cameo Landscape Architects, HDR, Ramboll, Cratus, Montagu Evans and Radcliffes Environmental on the proposals and designs, alongside Longcross Land, who provided investment guidance”, Pullen continued. “It’s been a fantastic experience collaborating with industry leading firms aligned to our sustainability and community focused vision, and we look forward to seeing the plans come to life. Additionally, we’ve received support from HM Treasury, the UK Department of Business & Trade (DBT), Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and the Office for Investment (OFI) which has been critical in progressing with the project and reaching this important milestone.”
