Digital Dagenham

The Digital Dagenham data centre project was one of our most complex undertakings, blending environmental and community preservation with future-ready digital capabilities.

The project faced several challenges, including extensive environmental remediation due to contamination, requiring thorough monitoring and clean-up efforts. The site’s proximity to critical infrastructure, such as Network Rail and TfL, required careful planning to avoid disruption and meet safety standards. Securing sufficient power for the data centre’s 80MW capacity was another major hurdle, involving the construction of a 132kV power connection 6km away, which took 26 months and required £18 million in contestable works. Additionally, over 70 tenant variation requests led to design changes, but early collaboration with NTT ensured timely progress.

Despite these challenges, the project successfully transformed the historic chemical plant into a digital infrastructure hub. Phase 1 involved the construction of an 18,700 sqm data centre, completed after 10 months of planning and 15 months of construction. Close coordination with NTT helped manage design changes and maintain the project timeline. Planning consent was secured without pre-start conditions through collaboration with local authorities, and ongoing environmental monitoring ensured compliance. Phase 2, which began in 2021, introduced a larger data centre building, further cementing the site’s role in the region’s digital future.

Photo credit: Daniel Shearing