Colt DCS Expands Hayes Digital Park in Hillingdon with Three Data Centres

Key Points

• Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS) has been approved to build three new data centres—London 6, 7 and 8—at its Hayes Digital Park campus in Hillingdon.
• The total additional capacity from these three new centres will be 97MW, expanding the site to 160MW.
• Construction is planned to begin in mid-2026, with the first facility expected to be operational by early 2029.
• The land for the project currently belongs to Hayes Bridge Retail Park and Heathrow Interchange.
• Previous phases of the Hayes Digital Park campus include London 4, topped out in May 2024, and London 5, with construction starting this year.
• The development also includes creating an Innovation Hub for Brunel University and the local community.
• Colt DCS, founded in 1992 (originally City Of London Telecom), was acquired by Fidelity Investments in 2015.
• Colt currently operates 13 data centres with 19 more in development worldwide.

What Is Colt Data Centre Services Planning at Hayes Digital Park?

Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS) is set to substantially expand its Hayes Digital Park campus located in the London Borough of Hillingdon. As reported by Data Centre Dynamics, the local Hillingdon Council has approved Colt’s plans to construct three additional data centres, named London 6, 7, and 8, on the land currently occupied by Hayes Bridge Retail Park and Heathrow Interchange. These new facilities will offer a combined power capacity of 97 megawatts (MW), bringing the campus total capacity to 160MW.

The move aims to build on the success of earlier development phases of the Hayes Digital Park, enhancing Colt’s ability to support London’s growing data infrastructure needs.

When Will Construction Begin and When Will the New Data Centres Be Operational?

According to the council’s approval details, reported by Data Centre Dynamics journalist, construction for these new centres is set to begin in mid-2026. The first of the three new data centres is projected to go live early in 2029. This timeline fits within Colt DCS’s broader development strategy, which already includes two prior facilities at the same campus: London 4 and London 5.

London 4, the first phase of the Hayes Digital Park campus, reached its structural completion (“topped out”) in May 2024 and is expected to be fully operational by 2025. London 5 is anticipated to start construction later this year, further bolstering the campus’s capacity.

What Is the Significance of the Innovation Hub Included in the Project?

The expansion of the Hayes Digital Park campus also incorporates the development of an Innovation Hub, designed to serve Brunel University and the local community. This inclusion highlights Colt’s community-oriented approach, seeking to link technological growth with educational and local engagement.

As noted by Data Centre Dynamics, this Innovation Hub will be a valuable resource for nearby academic institutions and serve as a centre for collaborative innovation and digital research activities.

How Does This Expansion Fit into Colt DCS’s Global Operations?

Colt Data Centre Services operates a portfolio of data centres across the UK, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 1992 originally as City Of London Telecom, the company has developed steadily over three decades. The acquisition by investment firm Fidelity Investments in August 2015 marked a significant step in its growth trajectory.

Currently, Colt runs 13 operational data centres worldwide, with a further 19 in various stages of development. According to the report from Data Centre Dynamics, the Hayes Digital Park expansion is a critical part of Colt’s investment in increasing digital infrastructure capabilities to meet rising data demand.

What Are the Strategic Advantages of Locating These Data Centres in Hayes, Hillingdon?

The location of Hayes Digital Park in Hillingdon offers strategic benefits, given its proximity to London and major transport hubs including Heathrow Airport. This facilitates excellent connectivity, which is vital for data centres reliant on fast, reliable network access.

Furthermore, the site’s existing footprint and infrastructure allow Colt to expand the campus efficiently, leveraging available land parcels from Hayes Bridge Retail Park and Heathrow Interchange.

What Are The Local Government’s Perspective and Planning Decisions on This Development?

Hillingdon Council’s planning approval earlier in October 2025 for the three new data centres reflects strong local support for digital infrastructure projects that could boost economic growth and create high-skilled jobs in the borough.

As reported by Data Centre Dynamics, the council sees the development as compatible with the area’s industrial and commercial profile and an opportunity to establish a major technology campus.

How Will This Development Impact the Future of Digital Infrastructure in West London?

The addition of London 6, 7, and 8 will increase the Hayes Digital Park capacity to 160MW, a significant boost that will enhance cloud service providers, enterprises, and digital platforms’ access to resilient and scalable data centre space in London.

By expanding in West London, Colt DCS is positioning Hayes as a critical node in the UK’s digital supply chain and data network, supporting regional and national digital transformation goals.