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ARTICLE · 12 JANUARY 2026

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Insights From Our Future Of Data Centres Series

Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard
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Addleshaw Goddard

Addleshaw Goddard

Addleshaw Goddard is a global law firm trusted by over 3,000 major organisations, including 51 FTSE...

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The data centre sector is undergoing rapid transformation as it responds to surging demand from AI, evolving business models, regulatory scrutiny, technological innovation...

GlobalReal Estate and Construction
Karen Rowe
Karen Rowe
Arun Visweswaran
Arun Visweswaran
Marton Eorsi
Marton Eorsi

The data centre sector is undergoing rapid transformation as it responds to surging demand from AI, evolving business models, regulatory scrutiny, technological innovation, and challenges in addressing power supply and environmental demands. Our recent cross-border “Future of Data Centres” webinar series explored these topics in detail with clients across the world. This article summarises the key legal, commercial, and operational issues which were identified as shaping the future of global data centre development.

Legal roadmap for data centre developmen

  • Consenting and zoning requirements vary significantly between jurisdictions. For example in the UK, development is plan-led, with industrial or brownfield sites near urban edges favoured for new facilities. In continental Europe, zoning is often more prescriptive, with specific data centre districts and exclusion zones channelling development sites.

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