We believe that those people living near to a data centre project should benefit directly from the project
Our projects directly support national priorities around digital infrastructure and clean power. We believe that our projects need to do more for their neighbours.
Each of our projects provides tangible benefits in kind for the communities that host them.
Community Engagement
Community input and feedback is a key element of the design and development process for all of our projects.
Each project has a dedicated community liaison team who communicate directly with local residents and provide project updates through newsletters and drop-in events. While project specific webpages contain a record of project information, developments and key milestones.
We will also run a number of public co:design sessions at an early stage in the project design process to give local residents the opportunity to meet the project team, explore design work to date and provide input into key design decisions across data centre buildings and the wider site.
Recreational Space
Up to half of the land at a project site is set aside for landscaping and ecology enhancement providing an opportunity to increase public access to green spaces. We work with the community to plan these new spaces using local insights to inform final designs. We’ll deliver new footpaths and cycling routes to enhance accessibility and, where possible, connect into existing networks to make it easier to travel by foot or bike.
Supporting Community Initiatives
Each one of our projects provides annual community benefit funding to support local projects and initiatives. The public co:design events are an opportunity for project teams to find out more about local issues and opportunities. We will then work with community leaders to shape a plan for delivering the community benefit scheme based on that feedback.
Examples of community projects supported on other projects include the refurbishment of community buildings and energy efficiency retrofits.
Typically community benefit funds are managed by a third party, such as a local Community Foundation or the local council’s Community Grants team, who will work to identify suitable projects, manage funding requests and monitor spending against agreed goals.
Supporting Skills Development
Data centres have a role to play in shaping future skills. Running a data centre campus requires a diverse talent pool and skills acquired can be easily transferred to roles in other parts of the technology and digital sectors.
At Clearstone we are committed to making our data centre campuses catalysts for promoting careers in engineering and technology within local communities and working with local learning providers to ensure that the training is available to support these career choices.
