Ashurst advises Tritax on UK's largest data centre development and creation of UK data centre investment platform

Global law firm Ashurst has advised Tritax on all aspects of its recent acquisition and joint venture, marking a significant milestone in the development of one of the largest data centres in the UK.

FTSE 250 listed Tritax Big Box Plc has purchased of a 70-acre site at Heathrow, London, within the Slough Availability Zone, a prime EMEA data centre location, and simultaneously acquired a 50% share in a joint venture with a leading European renewable and low carbon energy power generator.

The acquisition and joint venture facilitate an accelerated timeline for the potential delivery of up to 147 MW of power to support the development of a major data centre scheme at Manor Farm. The first phase of the development, targeting 107 MW, is expected to commence construction in H1 2026 and completed by the end of 2027, making it one of the most advanced data centres in Europe totalling 448,000 sq ft.

The Ashurst team was led by real estate partner Tim Regis and senior associate Aoife Devlin. They were supported by a wider team including energy partner Katie Williams and associate Amy McCalmont, partner Niki Hopkins, senior associate Peter Mallon and associate Edwin Harris in funds, partner Tim Gummer and counsel Sophie Lloyd in tax and partner Simon Bullock and senior associate Louise Chan in our capital markets team.

Commenting on the transaction, Tim Regis said, "We are delighted to have advised Tritax on this landmark transaction. The acquisition and joint venture platform represent a strategic move into the highly attractive data centre market, leveraging Tritax's expertise in large-scale logistics developments. This project positions Tritax at the forefront of the cross over between land power and data centres and plays to our team's strengths in advising on those areas."

Henry Franklin, chief operating officer at Tritax commented on the support from Ashurst, "This was a very complex deal, requiring input from multiple teams. The support from Ashurst, across the many disciplines was fantastic; their advice was commercial and pragmatic and undoubtedly contributed to the ultimate successful conclusion of the transaction."