CorScale is preparing to move forward with its first UK data centre project, after appointing McLaren Construction and Phoenix ME to begin pre-development works on a planned 140 MW campus in Iver, Buckinghamshire.
The US data centre developer is looking to transform a 14-acre industrial estate into a hyperscale data centre campus comprising two multi-storey data centre buildings and a dedicated 140MVA substation. The project is expected to cost around £1 billion, with works currently expected to be completed in late 2029.
Pre-development works are due to begin on July 1, 2026, starting with site clearance, utility diversions and remediation. A key early stage of the project will involve the relocation of two 36-inch Affinity Water mains that currently cross the site.
The delivery team also includes Gensler as architect, Cundall on MEP design and L&P Group on engineering support.
While Iver has not historically been seen as a major data centre hub in the same way as nearby Slough, the area is increasingly attracting interest from developers as the industry’s demand for new sites continues to be insatiable. The site sits close to other proposed data centre developments from the likes of SEGRO and Amazon, while CyrusOne is also exploring a project further north in Iver.
The existing site is currently used for a mix of heavy industrial purposes, including recycling operations, waste transfer facilities, concrete and aggregate storage, vehicle compounds and distribution businesses.
Julian Michalski, Head of Development for Corscale Europe, commented,, “This is by design an exceptional collaboration of a tier one team.
“It brings a combination of expertise and experience – each with a strong track record in complex, mission-critical environments – to deliver superior quality, programme certainty and technical assurance at every stage, ensuring we meet programme deadlines and our practical completion date in late 2029.”
David McDonnell, Managing Director for Data Centres at McLaren Construction, added, “As data centres become larger, more powerful and more complex, we become all the more reliant on the latest construction technology to achieve the project management and precision that this design requires. We are proud to be partnering with Corscale and this outstanding project team on what promises to be a landmark scheme, and we look forward to progressing works on site.”
