Leeds data centre campaigners to join forces with European partners for weekend of action
Leeds residents to march again in opposition to Microsoft data centre plans
Campaigners will take to the streets again next week to protest against Microsoft’s plans for new data centre at Skelton Grange.
The group previously held a protest in Millennium Square in September, with over 250 people in attendance.
In collaboration with the Stop Dirty Datacentres movement, a partnership of 80 action groups across Europe calling for a moratorium on data centres, the No Leeds Datacentre group will march on Friday, November 6, against the plans.
The protest will begin outside Leeds Art Gallery at 12pm, heading down Park Row before finishing in front of Leeds Civic Hall.
Lianne-Marie Mease, founder of the No Leeds Datacentre group, said: “We urge Leeds City Council to protect the people of Leeds and acknowledge that the national planning guidelines are not fit for purpose when it comes to developments of this type.”
Leeds City Council approved plans for the 48-acre site back in April 2025.
A two-day public consultation was held in early June last year, however, campaigners have concerns around the consultation.
Data centres were designated as ‘critical national infrastructure,’ by Keir Starmer’s Labour government in 2024.
Lianne added: “Lumping them under the basic warehouse classification prevents any kind of meaningful environmental scrutiny and we can’t undo the damage once it’s been done.
“We have to act now before it’s too late.”
Leeds City Council said: “We are aware of a protest event due to take place in Leeds and recognise that data centre schemes are currently the subject of some public interest, both nationally and locally.
“As part of its responsibilities as a local planning authority, the council notified people in the area about the planning application via site notices and a notice in the local press. It should be noted that these steps met the national mandatory requirements for publicising this type of application.”
Lianne added: “This issue has united the full political spectrum of people from right to left with Reform and Conservative voters standing beside Green and Labour voters to oppose hyperscale datacentres.”