More than 100 people attended a consultation on plans for a large data centre on green belt land in Cheshire, near the edge of the Greater Manchester conurbation.

Developer Innova held a drop-in session at High Legh Village Hall near Lymm to discuss the proposed Spodegreen Data Centre, a 60-hectare campus at Little Bollington on land owned by the Tatton Estate.

Local resident Mike Reed, who is helping organise opposition, described the scheme as a "massive great industrial monster" and said people left with deep anxiety about homes, businesses and wildlife. He argued that building on green belt at the edge of Manchester's conurbation risks undermining green belt protection across Cheshire.

Resident Helen Dolan raised concerns about noise and wildlife.

An Innova spokesperson said the company was pleased with the turnout and grateful for feedback on water, noise, landscape, drainage and green belt. It said technical assessments on noise, water use and energy demand are under way, and that the project would bring jobs, improved connectivity and money from a Community Benefit Fund.

A second in-person consultation is planned later in 2026, when Innova says it will show how the scheme has evolved after feedback and environmental assessments. No planning application has been submitted yet; one is expected to go to Cheshire East Council in late 2026 or early 2027.

Sources: the BBC; Innova; local residents quoted at the High Legh consultation. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked against the sources above.