What is being proposed?
The proposal includes a training centre, industrial buildings and supporting infrastructure. The development forms part of wider plans for the regeneration of the Chapelcross site.
Planning permission in principle decides whether a development is acceptable in principle. If it is granted, detailed matters such as layout, design and landscaping would need further approval through later applications before any development could start.
What is the council's role?
Dumfries and Galloway Council's role as the planning authority is to assess the planning application through the statutory planning process. The council is responsible for assessing the planning application against planning law, policy and all relevant material considerations.
The council as the planning authority must remain impartial while the application is being considered and cannot support or oppose the proposal before a planning decision is made.
All comments received through the planning process will be considered as part of the assessment.
Does the council own or manage the project?
No. The application has been made by CX Tech Limited, a private developer. The council will not build, own or operate the data centre if planning permission is granted.
Has a planning decision been made?
No. The application is still being assessed and no decision has been taken. All comments received within the consultation periods will be considered before a decision is made.
How long do I have to comment?
There are two separate consultation periods – because the planning application and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report) have each been publicised under their own legal requirements.
Planning application
Representations on planning grounds are accepted up to 15 November 2026.
Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report)
This was published on 30 October 2026. Representations on the EIA can be made for 30 days from publication, up to 11.59pm on 29 November 2026. This date will be updated here if publication changes.
If you have already commented on the application, you do not need to repeat those comments.
What should my comments cover?
Planning decisions can only be based on planning matters. These can include things like the effect on the landscape, noise, traffic, water use, drainage, wildlife, energy use, carbon emissions, jobs and the local economy, and whether the proposal fits with planning policy.
Some issues cannot be taken into account, such as effects on property values or private disputes between neighbours.
Will my comments be made public?
Yes. Comments are published on the council's planning portal so that everyone can see them. Personal details such as email addresses, phone numbers and signatures are removed before publication. For more information, see the council's planning privacy notice.
Why Chapelcross?
Chapelcross has long been identified as a major economic development opportunity, with plans focussed on energy, innovation, skills, business growth and economic development.
Chapelcross is included in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, in which the council is a partner. The site forms part of a long-term vision for investment and redevelopment of the former nuclear site as it already has significant energy and grid infrastructure in place.
Whether this proposal is acceptable on the site will be decided through the planning assessment.
What will be assessed?
The council will assess all the relevant planning issues. These include:
- the potential economic effects, including jobs, investment and training
- energy use and grid capacity
- greenhouse gas emissions
- water use and drainage
- noise
- landscape and visual impact
- traffic and access
- ground conditions, given the site's former use
- wildlife and habitats
- the historic environment
- risks from major accidents
The EIA Report sets out the applicant's assessment of the likely significant environmental effects. Specialist consultees, including bodies such as SEPA, NatureScot and Scottish Water, will review it and advise the council.
Where can I see the application and EIA Report?
Anyone can submit comments through the formal planning process during the consultation period. Details are available through the council's planning portal.
The EIA Report and the application documents can be viewed on the council's planning portal (search for reference 26/1649/PIP).
And in hard copy at:
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Kirkbank House
English Street
Dumfries
DG1 2HS
Representations can be made through the planning portal/by email to [email protected] or by post to the above address, all quoting reference 26/1649/PIP.
Representations received after the closing dates as stated above without an agreed extension will not be considered.
What happens after consultation closes?
Planning officers will consider all comments and consultee responses. If they need more information from the applicant and it is significant, it will be published and you will have a further chance to comment.
Officers will then write a committee report with a recommendation, which will be published on the website before the committee process begins.
In accordance with Section 38A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended), a pre-determination hearing is required for a National development.
A pre-determination hearing gives the applicant and persons who submit representations to the planning authority in respect of that application the opportunity to appear before and be heard by a committee of the authority before a determination is made on the application.
The planning authority will take into account any relevant policy or guidance in force when the decision is made. The Scottish Government has expressed that it expects to publish guidance on the subject of data centres in December 2026.
Where can I find out more?
The applicant has published information about the wider CX Technology Campus at cxtechnologycampus.co.uk. This is the applicant's own material, not council information.
For questions about the planning process, contact [email protected] quoting reference 26/1649/PIP.