Buckinghamshire is fast becoming a hub for data centre development in England.

Recent Freedom of Information data obtained by 2580 Group revealed the county has one of the highest numbers of planning applications for new facilities in the country.

Between 2021 and 2026, Buckinghamshire Council received six applications for data centres, placing it joint second nationally alongside Sheffield. Only South Oxfordshire recorded more, with seven applications during the same period.

Of the 50 councils that responded to the FOI requests, a total of 84 data centre planning applications were recorded, with 54 gaining approval.

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(Image: Pinewood Group)

Michael Scott, director of consultancy 2580 Group, said: "Data centres are a critical part of our national infrastructure.

"These sites provide the power and capacity needed to run the digital tools that businesses and consumers now rely on every day, from the internet and apps like Instagram and Facebook to CRMs and Large Language Models like ChatGPT and Claude.

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"As demand grows, developers, investors and councils will need to think carefully about where new data centres are built and how they are delivered."

The research highlights a sharp rise in demand across the sector.

Applications doubled in 2025, climbing from 13 in 2024 to 26 in 2025—following a 44 per cent increase the year before.

Mr Scott said the pattern is creating opportunities across the development supply chain.

He said: "For businesses like ours, this growth creates a real opportunity to support clients across planning, site strategy, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure delivery and commercial development.

"There’s a significant amount of work across the supply chain, especially for cabling and infrastructure providers."

However, he also emphasised that data centre development requires specialist expertise and consistent standards.

He said: "But it’s important to remember that data centres are highly technical environments with strict standards.

"Businesses need the right experience, proper training and a clear understanding of what’s required.

"Without that, it can be difficult to secure work.

"The businesses that invest in training, take a professional approach and deliver consistent quality are the ones that will win work and keep it.

"Once you build that reputation, there’s a strong opportunity for repeat projects, but getting to that point takes time."

He said: "We expect this trend to continue as demand for data keeps growing.

"More businesses will enter the market, but long-term success will come down to quality and reliability.

"It’s not just about being there at the right time, it’s about being able to deliver."