THE member of parliament for Torridge and Tavistock has launched a questionnaire to help gauge residents’ views on a controversial proposal for a large AI data centre and battery energy storage system (BESS) in the countryside near Torrington.

Sir Geoffrey Cox KC has said that responses to the questionnaire will shape how he is able to represent residents in the upcoming planning process that will ultimately decide whether the development which has drawn protests from residents will go ahead.

A separate petition launched by Liberal Democrat councillor Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin calling for a moratorium and pause on these types of development has achieved nearly 40,000 signatures.

If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered by parliamentarians for a debate in Westminster.

Sir Geoffrey has told residents that he has serious reservations over the proposals, but he does not have a formal role in determining any planning application.

The MP said that he intends to hold XLinks, the developer to account, encourage them to engage with the local planning process and challenge any information that may have ‘shortcomings’.

He said: “A key part of my work will be preparing and securing answers to a schedule of questions for Xlinks, informed by your responses. Alongside meetings with Xlinks and Torridge District Council, constituency surgeries, meetings and site visits, I will be keeping a very close watch on this proposal and working to ensure that the information available to you is accurate and reliable.”

In the questionnaire, residents are asked a series of questions relating to the project. Among the full questionnaire, these questions include asking how informed residents feel about the proposal, what information they would like XLinks to provide, the aspects of the proposal which are the most important, confidence in the developer’s engagement and what key questions they’d like to see asked.

Sir Geoffrey Cox said: “Recently, I have been visiting the site of the proposed X Links Data Centre and BESS and residents who live close to and around the site.

“Afterwards I arranged a meeting with the Head of Planning and the Chief Executive at Torridge District Council along with its Leader, Councillor Ken James, to discuss how the council would ensure it has the resources and expert technical and legal help to scrutinise the X Links Application.

“I am pleased the Council intends to retain acknowledged experts in these fields and I shall be closely monitoring the pre-planning consultations now scheduled for the New Year.

“In the meantime, I am writing to thousands of residents around the site to assist me in formulating the questions that X Links must answer in asking communities to shoulder the burden, disruption and risks its massive installations would impose. If you receive a letter from me, please do respond if you can”

Details on the questionnaire can be found on the MP’s website at www.geoffreycox.co.uk/campaigns/sir-geoffreys-xlinks-data-centre-and-bess-survey.