Stockton set to power Britain’s AI revolution

A North East town is set to become a hub for cutting-edge technology.

Stockton-on-Tees will host the UK’s first “neural edge” AI data centre after Latos Data Centres secured planning approval for a £100 million facility at Preston Farm Industrial Estate.

Construction is due to start in the final quarter of 2025, with operations expected in early 2027. 

The project aims to boost the local economy, prioritising North East suppliers and contractors while creating jobs in both primary and secondary employment markets.

Unlike traditional cloud data centres, neural edge facilities bring AI processing closer to businesses and communities, cutting response times from seconds to milliseconds. 

Companies in Stockton and the surrounding region will gain faster access to AI-powered tools for augmented reality, smart manufacturing, predictive healthcare and next-generation digital services.

The development also marks a historic milestone for Stockton, which approaches the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway.

Just as the Stockton to Darlington Railway transformed global trade, bosses at Latos say they hope the facility will put the town at the centre of a new industrial revolution.

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.” 

The Stockton centre is part of Latos’ wider plan to build 40 neural edge data centres across the UK by 2030, forming a national network to keep Britain at the forefront of AI innovation.

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