A new data centre could be built next to South Mimms service station at Junction 23 of the M25.

In a letter to nearby residents, DC01UK said it is preparing to submit an outline planning application to Hertsmere Borough Council for the 85-acre site.

They have invited residents to provide feedback on their current plans.

The developer said the centre would "bring significant local and national investment, and jobs and local community and training benefits to the area".

The land to be used is currently in the Green Belt and not built on, but DC01 argue it "performs poorly" against the Green Belt's purposes.

They also argue the centre would be in a "uniquely prime position", with suitable power and internet access "without the need for significant diversions or works taking place".

The site could provide around two million square feet of space, and is expected to create around 200 new jobs. Access would be from Swanland Road, with emergency vehicles also able to reach the site from Bridgefoot Lane. 

The developer said the centre would be accompanied by a new Technology and Innovation Hub in South Mimms, on the site of the now-closed White Hart pub.

Plans to part-demolish the grade II listed pub and replace it with flats were previously submitted by Griggs Homes and approved by Hertsmere Borough Council. The council had rejected a bid to designate the former pub as an asset of community value.

An outline planning application for the data centre is expected to be submitted in autumn this year, with a view to beginning construction in 2027 and the centre becoming operational in 2029.

A spokesperson for DC01UK said they were "delighted" to begin taking public feedback on the project.

They said it would be "the UK's premier data centre", directly raising more than £21m per year through business rates.

"This project would put Hertsmere at the forefront of one of the most technologically exciting projects in Europe and lead the world in setting the gold-standard for the next generation of high-tech infrastructure," the spokesperson added.

Data centres house IT infrastructure, such as servers, that are used by companies and organisations. They support a range of applications and services.

The Labour government has proposed changes to national planning policy that would make it easier to build data centres. They said data centres are "rapidly advancing commercial opportunities which will be the foundation of the UK's future".

A proposed data centre in Abbots Langley was refused planning permission by Three Rivers District Council earlier this year. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has 'recovered' the appeal, meaning she will make a final decision on whether it can go ahead.

A separate development at South Mimms service station was approved earlier this month, with Hertsmere councillors voting to grant permission for a new warehouse.