# Devon girl, nine, opposes proposed £13bn data centre on 850 acres

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/nine-year-old-girl-leads-campaign-against-13billion-plans-for-europes-largest-data-centre-that-would-build-over-850-acres-of-british-countryside/
- Published: 2026-11-04T10:53:29+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T11:42:52+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16264477/Girl-nine-campaign-data-centre-countryside.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: AI, Elections, Europe, Politics, Software, Technology, UK, World

## Key points

- A nine-year-old is helping lead opposition to a huge Devon data centre.
- Xlinks’ £13 billion proposal could cover 850 acres.
- More than 37,700 people have signed a petition against it.

## Summary

Nine-year-old Demelza May is campaigning against Xlinks’ proposed £13 billion data centre near Great Torrington in Devon, fearing it would damage the countryside, wildlife and local water supplies. Her opposition has become part of a wider local campaign over a development that could transform the area and support the UK’s growing demand for AI computing.

The proposed campus could cover up to 850 acres between Great Torrington, Huntshaw and Weare Gifford. Xlinks says it would create 650 to 1,200 jobs and contribute £3.6 billion to the UK economy; residents have raised concerns about its effects on farming, tourism, noise and battery storage, and a petition against it has gathered more than 37,700 signatures. No formal planning application has been submitted.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.