Planning
/25- Full consent — 25
- Outline, hybrid or resolution to grant — 18
- Application submitted or appeal live — 8
- Nothing filed — 0
Methodology
The Reality Score
A 100-point, evidence-led assessment of whether an announced UK data-centre project is moving towards construction.
Five factors, 100 points
Grid connection
/25- Offer or supply dated before 2030, or capacity stated as secured — 25
- Dated 2030–33, interim-only or undated reservation — 12
- No evidence or after 2033 — 0
Land and funding
/20- Land owned plus named operator or committed financing — 20
- Land controlled or funding announced but not closed — 10
- None shown — 0
Delivery team
/15- Main contractor appointed or construction under way — 15
- Design team named — 8
- None — 0
Momentum
/15- Site works, site hiring or new Companies House charges in the last 90 days — 15
- Dated activity in the last 6 months — 7
- Nothing for 6+ months — 0
Score bands and supplier implications
| Score | Band | What it means for a supplier |
|---|---|---|
| 80–100 | Building | Main contractors are buying now. Approach the main contractor and M&E contractor. |
| 60–79 | Likely | Packages tender within 6–18 months. Get onto the design team's radar. |
| 40–59 | Possible | Watch. Early relationship with the developer only. |
| 20–39 | Speculative | Don't spend sales time yet. |
| 0–19 | Headline only | Announcement with no evidence behind it. |
Rules we apply
- Every point is backed by a public source.
- No evidence, no points.
- Every score is dated and re-checked.
- Developers can send corrections with evidence.
- No one can pay for a score.
- Editorial scores are independent of paid work.