Historic English Estate's Price Slashed Amid Data Centre Development Concerns
A 700-year-old manor once owned by Oliver Cromwell's family has seen a significant price reduction, with potential buyers citing proximity to a large-scale AI data center project as a deterrent.
Jaggards, a historic Jacobean manor house with medieval origins and a past connection to Oliver Cromwell's family, is now on the market for £1.95 million, a substantial reduction from its initial £3.5 million asking price two years ago. The eight-bedroom estate, described by Country Life as 'the perfect English country retreat,' is situated in Westwells, near Bath.
The drastic price drop is largely attributed to plans for a £250 million AI data center to be built less than half a mile away on former Ministry of Defence land known locally as the Donkey Field. The proposed facility, which opponents describe as a "mega" data shed, will stand 61 feet tall at its highest point and extend 600 feet in length, according to local reports. This development has raised significant concerns among residents and potential property buyers.
The data center is a project by Crown Hosting Data Centres, a joint venture between the Cabinet Office and the private tech firm Ark. The organization has been storing data for government departments, NHS trusts, and other public sector clients on former military land since 2015. Ark already operates five data centers at the Corsham site and has received approval to expand its seventh building, located just 164 feet from the nearest residence, despite over 1,000 objections.
Residents have formed the Neston Westwells Action Group (NWAG) to oppose the data center's expansion, citing issues such as drainage, noise, and light pollution. They also point out that the village already hosts five other data centers owned by Ark. Guy Dabell, a retired Royal Navy submarine officer and local resident, described the planned facility as a "complete eyesore" and expressed frustration that the local council did not adequately address resident concerns. He also noted the potential negative impact on local property values.
Other local properties have reportedly been affected by the proximity of the data center development. One property, Sands Farm, was taken off the market after a year of being listed for £1.15 million. Another four-bedroom home currently for sale at £650,000 was advised by its estate agent to obscure the data center with landscaping.
The seller of Jaggards, Graham Richards, who purchased the property for £600,000, acknowledged the data center's impact but stated that the property's historical significance and potential outweigh the challenges. He noted that the owner, who is looking to move abroad, was among the objectors to the data center plan.
Concerns about drainage have also been highlighted, particularly given the area's history of flooding. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Victor Steadman pointed out that the original developers withdrew from the site due to drainage issues, and that the underground infrastructure on the former MoD land is not fully understood. Morgyn Davies, a retired Chief Salvage Officer, recalled a significant flood in the area twelve years prior and questioned the long-term water management plans for the new data center.
Ark, which operates 27 data centers across England and Belgium, asserts on its website that it prioritizes "low-impact construction, to carbon, energy and water efficiency" and is committed to a "climate-neutral digital ecosystem."