Top secret home for vital data move

OLD aircraft shelters could be turned into a top secret home for vital data stored by leading international companies.

Suffolk Coastal District Council is poised to approve plans submitted by Infinity to convert 14 hardened shelters on the former technical base at Bentwaters, near Woodbridge, into a long term data storage complex.

This would be one of a few strategic sites for such activities across the country and it would lead to a jobs boost in Rendlesham with the creation of up to 30 posts.

A secure compound consisting of three parallel running 3m high wire topped security mesh fences, spaced 7.5m apart with pea shingle laid between, would be built.

Anti-vehicle bollards would be placed between the outer and middle fence lines and it is expected that most of the fencing will be screened by planting.

Planning officers are recommending the development control sub committee meeting on December 6 should pass the plans.

Officers say in their committee report: ''Within the compounded area there will be improvements in terms of the refurbishment of existing buildings, the demolition of an existing unattractive warehouse building and the removal of substantial concrete hard-standing areas.

''In essence, data is 'delivered' electronically, stored electronically and whilst there needs to be security and maintenance staff on site and occasionally a larger number of staff from client companies when they need to retrieve data following the loss of the primary data elsewhere, nevertheless the amount of coming and going will be very limited.”

A statement from Infinity said: “The site for this facility was selected after the extensive research and the investigation of a range of candidate sites nationally.

“The information storage solutions it will provide will be used by high profile national and multi-national companies.

“The construction and operation of this 'state of the art' facility will represent a major investment into the area by Infinity.”