17/09/2026
Not usually something we usually share on our business page but this is super important, please read sign as its our beautiful countryside
Hello and welcome to Save The Lammermuirs- Stop The Data Centre.
🌿 Who are we?
We are a small, volunteer run campaign group based in Longformacus, Duns, Scottish Borders and we are fighting to stop the build of a hyper-scale data centre on previously untouched land just walking distance from our homes. Our campaign group consists of less than 20 members of our community of all different backgrounds and age ranges, who are committed to stopping this proposal going ahead.
🌿 What is the southside Data Centre?
The Southside Data Centre is a proposed development made by Roxburghe Estates and Sunlaws Development. Roxburghe Estates own the land that this development would be built upon and they also own the development company involved in the build. The proposal consists of three, two-story data centre buildings (24m high, the same as an eighth-story building), access roads, car parks and electrical substation. The buildings will be surrounded by an earth mound and the area inside, and including, that mound will be the size of 50 football pitches. Altogether, the entire site proposal will be the size of 211 football pitches. To put this into context, this is enough space for 2,000 average size UK homes with gardens and over twice the size of Disney Land California.
🌿 Why are we against this proposal?
Our campaign group do not believe that this is an appropriate place for this development. The area being proposed is on the route of the Southern Upland Way and is classed as a Special Landscape Area. This is previously untouched land with thriving eco systems, rare nesting birds and wildlife. It is a place that can be used by EVERYONE. This proposal will mean that the area is no longer Right To Roam and it will emit heat and noise that will ensure the wildlife will not want to return, even after construction is complete.
We are in a climate crisis, a job crisis and a housing crisis, we believe that an enormous development in previously untouched land should bring a meaningful impact to the wider community, which this development does not. We believe that a development such as this belongs on a previously industrialised area or brownfield land. We want to protect our natural resources, the habitats of the rare wildlife that live in our hills and the wildness of the area for the benefit of EVERYONE.
As an example of impact vs gain, Westfield Shopping Centre in London is the biggest shopping centre in the UK which is the size of three football pitches and offers over 7,000 jobs to their local community. The site of the proposed "Southside Data Centre" is the size of 211 football pitches and Roxburghe Estates are estimating the amount of permanent jobs it will produce is 100. In addition to this, Roxburghe cannot guaranteed the end user and therefore cannot guarantee these jobs will be available or that they will go to our local community. Please follow this link for further information on this subject: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EM9fvdDeX/.
🌿 Can I lodge an objection to the planning application?
Planning has not yet been submitted and is estimated by Sunlaws Development to be submitted in December 2026. When this is submitted we will have 21 days to lodge an objection and our social media followers will be informed.
🌿 How can I help?
Thank you so much for your support. You can do the following things to help our campaign:
1. Sign our petition: https://c.org/QgCqMgQDf7
2. Donate to our GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-lammermuirs-stop-the-data-centre
3. Spread the word. Share our posts, discuss the issue with friends, family, colleagues and neighbours.
4. Attend events and protests that we organise.
5. Write to your MP with your concerns regarding the data centre. You can find your MP here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
Thank you so much for your support -
The Save The Lammermuirs team 💚
