THE massive new data storage facility proposed for Saunderton has taken another step closer to becoming a reality.

The 50-acre site, used by Molins for nearly 60 years, was bought at a cost of £16.2 million on December 3.

German company eshelter, together with funding partner PFB Data Centre Fund, plan to build the biggest largest data centre 'campus' in the UK on the land.

The facility will include three two-storey data storage centres and a three-storey building, along with an electricity sub-station and 150 car parking spaces. An existing office building and a historic ‘ballroom’ building will be maintained.

The building's grounds will also be landscaped, and it will have a turfed roof to blend into the background.

Councillor David Devine, of Bledlow and Bradenham ward, welcomed news the facility was moving closer.

He said: “I think it's good news for the area. It's bringing very few car journeys into the rural locality, and the building in the scheme is more aesthetically pleasing than what is currently there. Eshelter has held two or three public meetings in the area and everyone has been quite impressed by the plans.

“What they're doing is really ground breaking for the Chilterns – they're doing everything they can to reduce the impact on the Aea of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

It is hoped the first phase of the facility, expected to use “high levels of physical security” will be completed by the middle of 2010.

Molins, the tobacco machinery manufacturer has been based at Saunderton since 1950, but had seen operations at the site scaled back in recent years.