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Plans have been lodged for an AI factory in Derbyshire that would provide “critical” computing infrastructure.

Carbon3.AI has submitted a planning application to Chesterfield Borough Council to build a modular facility on land next to the M1 at Erin Road landfill between Duckmanton and Poolsbrook.

According to planning documents, the site was chosen next to the Valencia Energy Centre – which uses gas from landfill to produce renewable energy – as it would provide electricity to the AI factory using private wire connections.

Plans said the proposal would address an “urgent need” for sovereign AI capacity.

Documents added the modular nature of the proposed facility would make the development “easy” to upgrade as well as remove if operations stopped or were relocated.

Planning documents said: “The proposed facility is of strategic regional and national importance.

“It will deliver critical sovereign AI computing infrastructure for the UK, addressing the pressing national requirement for secure, sustainable, and accessible high-capacity digital computing resources.

“The development will support local and regional economic growth, attract investment, create highly skilled jobs, and demonstrate the integration of renewable energy into advanced technological infrastructure,” plans added.