£100m data centre secured for Stockton-on-Tees
Latos has been given the go-ahead for the UK’s first ‘neural edge’ AI facility, with construction expected to start towards the end of this year.
Located at Preston Farm Industrial Estate, it is hoped the data centre will be operational by 2027.
Designed by Agent Create Architecture, the Stockton facility will feature two data halls spanning almost 19,000 sq ft and be powered by Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs.
These systems are optimised for large language models and computer vision, placing the site at the forefront of AI computing.
Unlike traditional cloud data centres, neural edge facilities cuts processing times from seconds to milliseconds.
For businesses in the region, this means faster access to AI, enabling capabilities like augmented reality, smart manufacturing, predictive healthcare, and next-generation digital services.
Latos Data Centres aims to build 40 neural edge data centres across the UK by 2030, including sites in Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.
The company believes this facility will place Stockton-on-Tees at the front of the UK’s AI technology, and has said it will prioritise North East suppliers and contractors in its tender processes.
Mike Carlin, chief executive of Latos, said: “Stockton-on-Tees made history 200 years ago when it launched the railway age, transforming the world.
“Today, we’re making history again by bringing the AI revolution to the same pioneering place.
“Just as the Stockton to Darlington Railway revolutionised how people lived and worked in the 19th century, the neural edge facilities we’re building today will have a similar effect, well into the 21st century.
“We are grateful to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for its partnership and support to date. We’re looking forward to working closely with the council as building works progress.”
