Mayor David Skaith has launched a bid for York and North Yorkshire to be named one of the UK’s first AI Growth Zones, in a move that could generate up to £85 billion in economic output across the Yorkshire and Humber region. The proposal, submitted by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, is backed by North Yorkshire Council, Drax Power Station and the University of York.
At its heart is the Drax Power Station site near Selby, earmarked to become a national centre for carbon-negative energy, agri-tech innovation and AI development. Existing renewable energy infrastructure would support a new AI and Clean Energy Campus planned for the site.
“This region has a proud record of innovation and we are ready to work with Government to turn this vision into reality,” said Mayor Skaith. “Seizing on our established history at the forefront of innovation… we will deliver a pioneering, world-class AI Growth Zone.”
Richard Gwilliam, development director at Drax, said the initiative could unlock billions in growth, helping to build an innovation ecosystem that attracts major businesses and fosters local entrepreneurship. He said AI Growth Zone status would support plans for a carbon-negative data centre, placing Drax at the forefront of sustainable energy.
The University of York is also expected to play a central role. Vice-Chancellor Charlie Jeffery said the region could lead in responsible AI, with ethical and safety considerations embedded from the outset to ensure local and national benefit.
New energy infrastructure is already under way. The Lakeside Energy Park, recently opened in North Yorkshire, has a 100 MW capacity and can power 30,000 homes a day. Project manager Mark Selvaratnam said it would support the UK’s target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Drax is in talks with data centre operators over potential energy supply agreements, aiming to co-locate operations to manage soaring demand driven by AI growth. Goldman Sachs forecasts a 160 per cent increase in data centre power demand by 2030.
But Drax’s environmental record remains under scrutiny. Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have criticised police actions near the plant as pre-emptive moves against planned protests, raising questions over the company’s carbon emissions and sustainability claims.
With a Government decision on the AI Growth Zone bid due after the 11 June spending review, the region’s ambition to blend cutting-edge technology with clean energy and economic regeneration now rests on the outcome.
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Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 9 June 2025. The UK government opened bidding for AI Growth Zones on 10 February 2025, with applications due by the end of May 2025. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-fires-starting-gun-on-ai-growth-zones-to-turbocharge-plan-for-change?utm_source=openai)) The report mentions a decision expected after the government's spending review on 11 June 2025, indicating timely reporting. However, the narrative's freshness is slightly reduced due to the proximity to the spending review date.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Mayor David Skaith, Richard Gwilliam, and Charlie Jeffery are not found in earlier publications, suggesting originality. However, similar sentiments about AI Growth Zones have been expressed by other officials, indicating that while the quotes are original, the themes are consistent with prior discussions.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Bdaily, a regional business news outlet. While it provides timely and relevant information, its regional focus may limit its reach and verification capabilities. The involvement of reputable entities like the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Drax Power Station, and the University of York adds credibility. However, the lack of coverage by more widely recognised national media outlets raises some concerns about the narrative's broader verification.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative aligns with the UK government's initiative to establish AI Growth Zones, with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority's bid being a plausible development. The involvement of established organisations like Drax Power Station and the University of York supports the narrative's credibility. The projected £85 billion economic growth and the ambition to capture 15% of the UK's AI-driven growth by 2035 are ambitious but not unprecedented in large-scale regional development plans. The decision pending after the government's spending review on 11 June 2025 adds a timely element to the narrative.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a timely and plausible development regarding York and North Yorkshire's bid for an AI Growth Zone. While the quotes appear original and the involvement of reputable organisations adds credibility, the lack of coverage by more widely recognised national media outlets raises some concerns about the narrative's broader verification. The ambitious economic projections and the decision pending after the government's spending review on 11 June 2025 add a timely element to the narrative. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with medium confidence.
