What’s happening near Junction 24 of the M25?
A major new development is being proposed on Green Belt land off The Ridgeway, close to Junction 24 of the M25, and it’s a story that has already prompted discussion across the Enfield community.
Orbital Data Centres has announced plans to develop a large data centre facility on approximately 29 acres of land, spanning the boundary between Enfield and Hertsmere.
The proposed development represents an investment of more than £1.5 billion, with the company highlighting potential employment opportunities and economic benefits for the surrounding area.
However, the location of the development, the site’s Green Belt status and the circumstances surrounding the previous sale of council-owned land have raised important questions.
With a public consultation now open, we wanted to bring together the background information so our community can better understand what is happening.
What is being proposed?
The development would include two large data centre buildings, with approximately 50,000 square metres of floorspace.
Data centres provide the infrastructure needed to support digital services, including online banking, healthcare systems, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
According to the developer, the proposals could deliver:
The company also says more than half the site would remain as green space, with approximately 640 new trees, wildlife habitats and public access to around two hectares of landscaped land.
These are the developer’s projections and proposals, rather than independently verified outcomes.
How did the land come to be sold?
One of the key questions being raised locally is how council-owned Green Belt land came into private ownership.
Council documents confirm that, on 14 January 2026, Enfield Council’s then Labour administration agreed to the proposed disposal of 27.6 acres of land at New Cottage Farm, near Junction 24 of the M25.
The decision was subject to the necessary consents, including those involving the Secretary of State and the Duchy of Lancaster.
On 19 January 2026, the then Leader of Enfield Council, Councillor Ergin Erbil, made a formal decision to proceed with the disposal process after considering representations submitted in response to statutory public notices.
The documents show that the council had identified the land as surplus to its operational requirements.
The purchaser and financial details were contained within confidential documentation.
Orbital Data Centres has since confirmed that it acquired the land from Enfield Council in January 2026.
The distinction is important: the decision to sell the land and the decision about whether a data centre should receive planning permission are two separate matters.
What about Enfield’s Green Belt?
The site has also been the subject of significant scrutiny through the emerging Enfield Local Plan.
The land had previously been identified for potential industrial and logistics development.
However, in June 2026, the government-appointed planning inspector examining Enfield’s Local Plan recommended that the proposed allocation be removed.
The inspector raised concerns about the potential harm to the Green Belt, the rural character of the area and whether sufficient justification had been provided for development in this location.
This is particularly significant because the proposed data centre would now be seeking permission on land which the inspector considered should remain protected.
The land also crosses the boundary between Enfield and Hertsmere, meaning the planning authorities in both areas will have a role in considering any future applications.
What has the current council said?
Following the change in administration at Enfield Council in May 2026, the borough’s new Conservative leadership has publicly expressed its commitment to protecting Green Belt land.
The council’s current position is therefore an important part of the discussion, particularly given that the land sale was agreed under the previous administration.
However, regardless of political leadership, any future planning application must be considered through the relevant statutory planning process.
The fact that land has been sold does not automatically mean permission has been granted for development.
Local concerns and the wider debate
The proposals raise several questions for the local community.
Supporters of data centre investment may point to the potential jobs, business rates, investment and increasing demand for digital infrastructure.
Others are concerned about the loss of Green Belt land, the scale of the buildings, environmental impact, energy requirements, traffic and the precedent that development in this location could create.
There are also questions about how publicly owned land is managed and the long-term implications of decisions to dispose of it.
The Enfield Society has highlighted the proposed development and is encouraging residents to engage with the consultation.
How can residents have their say?
Orbital Data Centres is currently carrying out a public consultation before submitting formal planning applications.
Residents can find out more about the proposals and share their views through the developer’s consultation website.
Public consultation closes: Sunday 22 November 2026.
Two public exhibitions are also scheduled:
Monday 9 November, 2pm–8pm
Wyllyotts Theatre and Cinema, Potters Bar, EN6 2HZ.
Tuesday 10 November, 2pm–8pm
West Lodge Park Hotel, Cockfosters Road, EN4 0PY.
Residents can view the proposals and submit feedback at:
https://junction24datacentre.co.uk/
At this stage, no formal planning application has been submitted. Further opportunities for public comment are expected once applications are made.
Keeping Enfield informed
At Love Your Doorstep, we believe it’s important that our community has access to clear information about decisions and developments that could shape the future of our borough.
Whether residents welcome the potential investment or have concerns about protecting Enfield’s Green Belt, everyone should have the opportunity to understand the proposals and make their views known.
We will continue to follow developments and share further information as the planning process progresses.
What do you think about the proposals for a data centre near Junction 24?
We welcome respectful and constructive discussion from across our community.
Further information:
A further opportunity for residents to object
In a further development, Enfield Council published a statutory notice on 28 October 2026 concerning the proposed disposal of the freehold land at New Cottage Farm.
The notice confirms that objections can be submitted directly to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The deadline for objections is 5pm on Friday 27 November 2026.
Residents wishing to object to the proposed disposal can email:
This is a separate process from the developer’s public consultation and provides another opportunity for residents to make their views known.
