East Cambs District Council has received an application for ‘non material’ amendments (reference number 13/00487/NMAA) to the planning application for the proposed data centre at the Elean Business Park (next to the machinery sales ground).

The application is described as ‘Re-configuration and change of orientation of the substation compound and buildings only. The data centre and landscaping remaining unamended’.

Let us hope that this means the data centre might be a step closer, as the land on which it is intended to build has remained derelict and neglected for a long time, plagued by dumped rubbish, occasional temporary residents, the dangerous removal of metal drain covers (presumably for their scrap value), and fly-grazing.

The council is adamant that the condition of the site is the responsibility of the owners – who don’t seem eager to act, pleading that ‘the site is difficult to secure’ – but doesn’t seem to have the resources to mount any sort of enforcement action.