Development
Hertfordshire data centre hydrology, flood risk, and drainage consultancy
Hydrology, flood risk, and drainage consultancy
Data Centres
Data centres are the critical infrastructure powering our digital world. As demand for cloud computing, AI, and digital services continues to surge, the need for secure, scalable, and sustainable data centre facilities has never been greater. From hyperscale developments to edge computing hubs, data centres are rapidly expanding across the UK and Ireland, driven by both market demand and national digital strategies.
But delivering data centre infrastructure is complex. These facilities are energy-intensive, technically demanding, and subject to increasing scrutiny around environmental impact, land use, and resilience. Developers must navigate a challenging landscape of planning policy, utility constraints, sustainability targets, and operational risk.
At Arthian, we bring together planners, engineers, environmental consultants, and safety specialists to deliver data centre projects that are compliant, efficient, and future-ready. Whether you are developing a new site or upgrading an existing facility, we provide the insight and support to deliver with confidence.
How Arthian Can Help
We offer a full suite of consultancy services for data centre projects, including:
- Site Selection & Feasibility Studies
Identifying viable sites based on power availability, connectivity, planning policy, and environmental constraints.
- Consenting & Stakeholder Engagement
Managing planning submissions and consultation strategies to secure timely, robust consents. - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Coordinating EIA screening, scoping, and full Environmental Statements for large-scale data centre developments. - Engineering Design & Infrastructure Support
Providing civil, structural, and process engineering for site layout, drainage, utilities, and access infrastructure. - Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Strategy
Supporting low-carbon design, heat recovery, water reuse, and alternative energy solutions to achieve compliance with BREEAM, LEED, and ESG frameworks. - Construction Support
Supporting construction clients through a range of activity, from developing CEMPs, conducting site audits and compliance monitoring, serving as Environmental Managers and Environmental and Ecological Clerks of Works (EnCoW), offering health and safety support and CDM coordination, and temporary works alongside supporting environmental compliance during construction. - Operations Management
Our team offers a range of operations management services, including permit management and facilities management alongside Environmental Management Systems accreditation (with particular experience in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001) - Training
From Health and Safety to Operations to Sustainability, our team of certified professional trainers ensures your business operates as efficiently as possible.
Site Selection, Feasibility & Appraisal
We help clients identify and evaluate potential data centre sites using GIS analysis, utility availability studies, and planning risk assessments. Our feasibility reports provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to support investment decisions, due diligence transactions and land acquisition.
Planning
Our RTPI-accredited planners lead the preparation of planning applications, coordinating inputs from environmental, engineering, and utility specialists. We manage stakeholder engagement, public consultation, and negotiations with planning authorities to secure timely, robust consents.
We also support:
- Development Plan Representations to promote data centre-friendly policies
- Permitting and licensing for construction and operation
- Coordination with statutory consultees including the Environment Agency, Natural England, and local authorities
Environmental & Sustainability Assessment
Our environmental consultants deliver a full suite of assessments to support planning and EIA, including:
- Noise, Vibration and Air Quality
- Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain
- Hydrology, Flood Risk & Drainage
- Landscape and Visual
- Carbon and Energy
- Traffic & Access
- Cultural Heritage
- Arboriculture
- Waste
- Ground Conditions
We also support sustainability certification (e.g. BREEAM, LEED) and ESG reporting frameworks.
Consents
Depending on the scale and location of the development, additional consents may be required. Arthian’s team of experts can support with the following:
- Environmental Permitting
- COMAH
- Hazardous Substance Consents
Engineering & Infrastructure Design
Our engineers support the design of:
- Earthworks design and materials management
- Foundation design
- Site access, haul roads and security
- Drainage and surface water management
- Utility connections and substation infrastructure
- Structural design for data halls and plant rooms
- Plant design
- Water Management, design and efficiency optimisation
- Acoustic design
We also provide input on fire safety, HVAC integration, and resilience planning.
Operational Efficiency & Compliance
Once operational, we support clients with:
- Energy and water efficiency audits and optimisation
- Carbon footprint analysis and reporting
- Environmental monitoring and compliance
- Planning condition discharge and updates
Why choose Arthian?
Proven Track Record
We’ve supported BESS projects up to 100MW+ across the UK.
Multidisciplinary Expertise
Our team includes planners, engineers, environmental scientists, and safety consultants.
Integrated Delivery
We work as one team, reducing handover risks and ensuring joined-up thinking across disciplines.
Regulatory Insight
We stay ahead of evolving planning policy, grid codes, and environmental regulation.
Get in Touch
We’d love to hear from you – whether you have a question, a project in mind, want to explore job opportunities, or just want to say hello.