Stop the Norwich Apex Mega Data Centre
Endangers Local NORWich Nature Reserve, Energy Grid, & Residential Quality of Life
The proposed 150 MW (Megawatts) Norwich Apex Data Centre off Ipswich Road poses a severe threat to South Norwich’s environment and quality of life. Located 2.5 miles from Norwich City centre, and just 650 metres from Marston Marshes Local Nature Reserve, a 32-acre industrial facility risks fragmenting vital Yare Valley habitats, live stock and disrupting protected wildlife through continuous heat, light, and low-frequency hums.
The scale of resource consumption is staggering. Drawing up to 150 megawatts of power, the facility would place immense strain on the local electrical grid. It’s massive grid consumption will generate intense heat output, warming the microclimate around surrounding green spaces and nearby homes. Additionally, continuous cooling systems and routine diesel backup generator testing will cause persistent noise and air pollution, disturbing over 5,000 local households in Lakenham, Eaton, Cringleford, and Keswick.
Replacing green corridor space with an energy-hungry plant offers negligible local employment while permanently degrading Norwich’s natural heritage.
THE SIZE
The proposed data centre is ENORMOUS. at 20m high it can’t be hidden by trees. It will fundamentally and forever change the local area with a devastating impact on Marston Marsh nature reserve and surrounding areas.
20m is a similar height to Norwich City Hall and Norwich Castle. The Forum’s atrium, Norwich Library is only 16m at it’s highest point.
POLLUTION
This is something EVERY Norwich resident should be very concerned about. The data centre will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It will be loud, bright and polluting. Over a year it will emit 100MW of heat into the environment. This is enough heat to warm over 100,000 homes. No provision has been made to manage this heat loss.
Furthermore it will use huge back-up diesel generators. These generators will emit huge amounts of very dangerous nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide and dust/particulates into the atmosphere. With around 2000 homes and many businesses within a 1-mile radius, this should be of serious concern.
Why We Oppose This Development
Visual & Landscape Impact
- A huge 20m high structure on a rural field metres from Marston Marsh nature reserve.
- Proposal is far too big to be screened by trees.
- Represents extreme over-development of a rural site.
- Completely changes the entrance into historic Norwich from natural marshland to a giant industrial wall.
Environmental & Amenity Concerns
- Emits constant noise, light, and heat 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Operates continuously adjacent to protected wildlife habitats at Marston Marsh.
- Noise, light, and heat pollution incompatible with a nature reserve setting.
- Sets a deeply damaging precedent for rural development across Norfolk.
Take Action Today
Copy & Paste Objection Email Template
Copy TemplateDear Decision-Maker,
I am writing to formally object to the planning application for the proposed Apex mega data centre at Keswick, Norfolk.
My key objections are:
• The proposed main building at 20 metres high is far too large for this rural gateway site – equivalent to stacking 4.5 double-decker buses. Previous permission was strictly for a 10m-high structure.
• At 32 acres, the site footprint exceeds 18 Carrow Road football pitches and represents extreme over-development of a rural location.
• The development sits metres from Marston Marsh nature reserve and would permanently damage a key entrance into historic Norwich, replacing natural marshland with a giant industrial wall.
• The facility would emit constant noise, light pollution, and heat 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – incompatible with the adjacent protected wildlife habitat.
• The proposal cannot be adequately screened by tree planting given its scale.
I urge you to refuse this application and protect our Norfolk countryside for future generations.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]