New regeneration project: West London industrial estate transformed

Global Technical Realty (GTR) is set to revolutionise one of West London's largest industrial estates following the approval of their ambitious regeneration plans by Ealing Borough Council. The project will replace existing warehouses at Southall’s International Trading Estate with cutting-edge data centre facilities and multiple industrial workspace campuses.

Covering 32.2 acres, the transformation is architecturally led by Chetwoods Architects, renowned for their expertise in contemporary industrial developments. Once completed, the site will host four data centres, three industrial campuses, and a central pavilion for community engagement, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable growth.

This initiative is part of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). It is anticipated to generate between 1,030 and 1,120 full-time permanent positions, including highly-skilled roles such as ICT technicians, network engineers, and operations staff. Furthermore, the construction phase will provide around 460 full-time jobs annually.

The development includes a sophisticated data centre campus designed with a sustainability-first approach. Featuring a remarkable 256MW IT load, these data centres incorporate surplus heat recovery systems, exporting heat for ancillary spaces and future district-wide networks.

Each unit will be equipped with energy-efficient, waterless cooling systems, with incoming N+N power supply at 132KV and on-site substations offering enhanced infrastructure resilience.

Technical innovations extend to the flexibility for air- or water-cooled servers and energy-efficient industrial units designed to support local startups. Noise mitigation techniques and state-of-the-art construction materials ensure minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment.

Alongside technological advancements, the project prioritises community benefits by improving local amenities. GTR aims to enhance the Grand Union Canal tow path, boost lighting for better safety, and introduce green pedestrian and cycle routes across the estate.

Commitments also include planting 153 new trees and achieving a significant biodiversity net gain. Additional investments target improving drainage infrastructure and broader training initiatives.

Phase one of this momentous development is scheduled to go live in 2030, promising a bright future for both the local community and the data centre sector.