Plans for giant data centre would ‘open new chapter’ for historic Scottish IBM site
“Data centres are becoming an increasingly important part of the infrastructure underpinning our economy”
Plans have been submitted that would see part of the former IBM site at Greenock turned into a major data centre development.
Developers have applied to Inverclyde Council for planning permission for the scheme at Spango Valley, off Inverkip Road. The proposals would bring long-vacant brownfield land, owned by millionaire brothers and entrepreneurs Sandy and James Easdale, back into productive use.
Computing giant IBM opened its Spango Valley operation in 1954. The facility closed in 2017, and the buildings were demolished in 2020.
Slate Island Developments is now seeking to regenerate part of the former technology and industrial site for “modern digital infrastructure”.
The plans come amid a backdrop of controversy over the spread of data centres in general, and large-scale AI facilities in particular, and concerns about their impact on electricity and water resources. However, Scotland is considered well placed to attract data centre investment because of its renewable energy resources, digital connectivity and climate, which can help reduce cooling requirements.
Spango Valley is seen as being particularly well suited to the data centre sector because of its scale and extensive areas of previously developed land. The indicative proposals include four data centre buildings providing around 80,000 square metres of floorspace, alongside landscaping, parking and “sustainable drainage infrastructure”. The majority of existing woodland, particularly around the site boundaries, would be retained.
The development would form part of a wider project incorporating a separately proposed battery energy storage system (BESS). These consist of several large batteries that store electrical power for use at a later time. They can be charged using excess electricity generated by wind or solar farms, for example, or by grid connection during periods of lower demand.
If planning permission in principle is granted, further applications would determine the development’s detailed design, including final building footprints, heights and materials.
A spokesperson for Slate Island Developments said: “Spango Valley has a proud history as a centre for technology and employment in Inverclyde, and these proposals offer an exciting opportunity to open a new chapter for this important site. There is now strong interest from the data centre sector, providing a real opportunity to bring this long-vacant brownfield site back into productive use.
“Data centres are becoming an increasingly important part of the infrastructure underpinning our economy, supporting everything from everyday digital services to cloud computing and artificial intelligence,” they added.
“Scotland is exceptionally well placed to benefit from this rapidly growing sector, with the Scottish government recognising the strategic importance of green data centres to our future economy.
“For Greenock, this is an opportunity to bring technology and investment back to a site synonymous with both for generations, while securing a sustainable and deliverable future for Spango Valley. We have engaged extensively with Inverclyde Council and the local community as the proposals have developed and look forward to continuing that dialogue as the application progresses.”
The firm has been engaging with Inverclyde Council since summer 2025, alongside a programme of community consultation including two public exhibitions, two online events and engagement with Wemyss Bay Community Council.
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