Historic English Estate's Price Plummet Amidst Data Center Controversy

Jaggards, a historic Jacobean manor house with origins dating back to the Middle Ages, is now on the market for £1.95 million, a significant reduction from its initial £3.5 million asking price two years ago. The eight-bedroom estate, located in Westwells near Bath, England, has experienced a substantial price drop that locals attribute, in part, to plans for a £250 million AI data center to be built less than half a mile away.

The proposed data center, described as a 'mega' facility, is planned for former Ministry of Defence land known as the Donkey Field. Opponents of the project, who have formed the Neston Westwells Action Group (NWAG), express concerns about potential drainage issues, noise pollution, and light pollution. The scale of the proposed building is considerable, with a highest point of 61 feet and a length of 600 feet.

Government sources state that the data center is vital for national security. The site is also the headquarters for Crown Hosting Data Centres, a joint venture between the Cabinet Office and the private tech firm Ark. Crown Hosting has been storing data for government departments and NHS trusts on various sites, many on former military land, since 2015.

Ark already operates five data centers on the Donkey Field site and is constructing a sixth. Wiltshire County Council has approved the expansion of a seventh building, despite over 1,000 objections. This expansion brings the facility within 164 feet of the nearest home. Residents have raised issues that they believe have not been adequately addressed, including drainage, noise, and light pollution, noting that the village already hosts five data centers owned by Ark.

Local resident Guy Dabell, a retired Royal Navy submarine officer, described the planned data center as a "complete eyesore" and stated that local opposition has been largely ignored by the council. He also pointed to the environmental impact, noting that more trees have been removed than planted, and expressed concerns about water usage for cooling systems and the potential for noise and light pollution.

The development has reportedly had a tangible impact on local property values. Some residents have been unable to sell their homes, while others have had to significantly reduce their asking prices. One property, Sands Farm, was reportedly taken off the market after a year of being listed for £1.15 million. Another four-bedroom home for sale at £650,000 was advised by its estate agent to erect a fence to obscure the view of the future data center.

Jaggards itself is described in property listings as a "wonderful property, steeped in history," offering a "rare opportunity to own a historic and well-maintained country home." It features extensive grounds, a historic dovecote, and mature oak trees.

Graham Richards, the seller of Jaggards and owner of auction house Criterion, purchased the property for £600,000. A source close to Richards indicated that while the house is historically significant and has been renovated, its marketability has been affected by the proximity of the data center. The owner was reportedly among those who objected to the data center plans but is looking to move abroad and is not actively involved with the protest group.

Concerns about drainage have been particularly vocal, with some residents pointing to past flooding incidents. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Victor Steadman noted that the land was initially slated for housing but developers withdrew due to drainage issues, leading to its sale to Ark. He and other residents are worried about the runoff from the concrete-heavy site and the potential for flooding, especially given the history of underground features on the former MoD land.

Ark, the company behind the data center development, states on its website that it focuses on "low-impact construction" and "carbon, energy and water efficiency," aiming for a "climate-neutral digital ecosystem."