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The UK government has admitted to a 'serious logical error' in approving the 90 megawatt Woodlands Park data center in Buckinghamshire, which it now seeks to overturn. A London judge granted permission for campaign group Foxglove to appeal the planning decision, originally approved by then-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

The government acknowledged that environmental mitigation measures linked to the project were not legally secured. The case illustrates the conflict between pursuing environmentally friendly policies and promoting economic growth, as data centers are increasingly recognized as vital infrastructure but raise concerns over energy consumption and carbon emissions. The developers, Greystoke Land Ltd., contested the government's rationale, stating the environmental screening did not depend on any mitigation measures.