The Brick Lane data centre is Labour’s ‘market Stalinism’ in action

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  • Post last modified:7 August 2026

Plans to build data centres have been controversial across the UK, but the latest example comes from Brick Lane. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner approved a £500 million redevelopment of the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, which will include a data centre. This is despite unanimous opposition to the development from Tower Hamlets council, the local mayor and campaigners. In a borough with over 30,000 households on the social housing waiting list, the council wanted 800 homes on the same site instead. The government’s decision letter gives that plan “no more than limited weight.” Meanwhile, it gives the data centre “significant weight”…

Continue ReadingThe Brick Lane data centre is Labour’s ‘market Stalinism’ in action