Opposition to new datacentre developments is intensifying in both the US and UK, with American states increasingly imposing bans and moratoriums while a proposed facility in London's Brick Lane has drawn street protests. The trend reflects growing public concern over the impact of the AI-driven datacentre boom on electricity prices, water supplies and local neighbourhoods, and comes despite both the Trump administration and the UK government viewing rapid datacentre expansion as essential to their respective AI ambitions.

More than 200 new US bans and moratoriums have taken effect in the past 30 days, taking the nationwide total above 550, according to The Information, with New York becoming the first state to restrict large hyperscale facilities and Texas pausing grid-connection approvals pending an audit. A Gallup survey found most Americans now oppose datacentres being built nearby, and President Trump has sent mixed signals, expanding a pledge to shield consumers from price rises while also criticising Texas's pause, even as tax breaks have reportedly cost the state at least $1 billion a year in lost revenue. In the UK, protesters marched against a 5,200 sq m, 5.2 MW datacentre planned near the former Truman Brewery after Tower Hamlets council failed to rule on the applications in time; the government subsequently approved all four appeals following a public inquiry, despite acknowledging some conflicts with local planning policy and limited harm to heritage assets.