Residents of Scottish village battle plans for massive data centre on their doorstep
In Auchtertool, a tiny Fife village of about 200 homes, locals are opposing a plan to build the world’s second-largest data centre, with more than 1,600 objections filed.
A proposal to construct the Cato data centre—described as the world’s second-largest facility and occupying land bigger than 100 football fields—has ignited opposition in Auchtertool, a small Fife village of roughly 200 homes. Locals have lodged over 1,600 objections, citing fears of light and noise pollution, flood risk, and harm to animals, with protest banners appearing on houses and cars. Community council chair Andrea Cail said the Scottish Government has now ordered a full environmental impact assessment, overturning an earlier council decision that none was needed.
Residents, including Fiona Stewart and Clare Williams, plan to demonstrate at Holyrood on September 3 alongside other Scottish communities facing similar projects. ILI Group, the developer, maintains the scheme will meet regulatory standards, generate about 262 permanent jobs and support 1,450 job-years during construction, and include new woodland and wetland habitats. The dispute highlights tensions between rural communities and the growing demand for data-centre capacity powered by Scotland’s renewable energy.
Why it matters
The clash shows how expanding digital infrastructure can affect rural life, environment and local economies.
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