An environmental charity has called for a halt to plans for a large AI data center in North Devon, calling it a "massive blow" to the local tourism industry. The North Devon biosphere, a UNESCO-recognized area, is home to Braunton Burrows, one of Europe's largest dune systems. The region was designated a UNESCO biosphere in 2002 for its unique natural and cultural features, which support both conservation and sustainable development. Now, Xlinks, a British energy company, is proposing to build a large-scale AI data center and a battery energy storage facility within this protected area. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has strongly opposed the project, describing it as an "enormous act of self-harm." They warned that the development could lead to North Devon losing its UNESCO biosphere status, which would be a major setback for the local tourism industry. CPRE emphasized that the proposed data center, one of the world's three largest, along with Europe’s largest battery assembly, would disrupt the scenic rural landscape and harm the region’s environmental and economic well-being. The charity is actively working to prevent the construction of the data center. According to Xlinks, the proposed development at Alverdiscott would provide up to 1.5 gigawatts of AI-optimized computing power and contribute between £3.3 billion and £3.6 billion annually to the economy. However, UNESCO has indicated that such a major change would need to be considered when evaluating whether North Devon should retain its biosphere designation. While UNESCO won't issue an official statement on the proposal, they have said that the compatibility of the data center with the area's sustainable development goals will be a key factor in assessing the region’s future status. The North Devon Biosphere Partnership has stated that it neither supports nor opposes the proposal at this time. It plans to evaluate whether the project can demonstrate a "genuinely sustainable approach" that benefits nature, climate, communities, and the local economy. The partnership acknowledges the growing demand for energy and infrastructure driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence and data processing. However, it stressed that any such development must align with environmental limits and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.