Scottish Police Flag Security Concerns Over Proposed Larbert Data Centre
Police Scotland has warned planners that a proposed data centre near Edinburgh may face significant opposition and should include measures against disruptive incursions.
In short
- Police Scotland has warned planners that a proposed data centre near Edinburgh may face significant opposition and should include measures against disruptive incursions.
Police Scotland has advised that a proposed data centre in Larbert may need robust security measures because of substantial public opposition to the project.
In a letter submitted to a planning consultation in August 2026, police said a “great deal of public opposition” was likely and encouraged developer Apatura to coordinate with officers to prevent unplanned incursions intended to disrupt the site. Larbert lies about 30 miles west of Edinburgh.
Nearly 7,000 objections have been filed against the proposal, and local campaigners said more than 100 people attended a protest on Thursday, August 13. Residents have raised concerns about noise, pollution and plans for about 200 diesel backup generators near a care home and a large hospital.
The proposal is part of a broader wave of data-centre planning in Scotland. Action to Protect Rural Scotland says at least 23 hyperscale projects are in the planning process and estimates their combined electricity demand would exceed Scotland’s peak use by more than half. Those figures are advocacy-group estimates rather than a government assessment.
Apatura said it would comply with planning rules and leading safety and environmental standards, and would continue engaging with government and the community. The police advice does not decide the application, which remains subject to the planning process.
