More than 20,000 people have backed a petition opposing plans for a large AI data centre proposed for a site close to a nature reserve near Norwich, with broadcaster Jake Humphrey among the most vocal objectors.
The planning application by Norwich Apex Ltd for the 32-acre site, submitted to South Norfolk Council on October 2, outlines a two-storey facility capable of powering 50,000 kettles at once. The location sits close to Marston Marshes nature reserve.
Protesters gather outside council offices
Around 100 protesters gathered outside South Norfolk Council’s headquarters, holding placards declaring "we need nature, not data" and chanting "save our marshes". The petition opposing the development has now gathered more than 20,000 signatures.
Charlie Palmer, who lives 900 yards from the site, said: "I think there is a lot of ignorance about what it is going to do. It is going to put the temperature up around the place. The heat is going to cause a lot more evaporation on the marsh. In a dry summer, it is going to be even drier."
Jenn Parkhouse, another protester, said: "I think it’s grossly premature. I don’t just want to jump on the 'no to data centre bandwagon' - I want to be informed."
Concerns over noise and light pollution
Marston Marshes is a 64-acre site of floodplains, woodland and grass, and is home to the rare Desmoulin's whorl snail, which is endangered due to habitat loss. Local concerns include continuous operational noise, loss of rural character and light pollution. The land earmarked for the development already has permission for an industrial park.
Jake Humphrey, who lives close to the site, said the proximity to Marston Marshes meant Norwich was not the right location for the scheme. He said he is not opposed to data centres and does not consider himself a NIMBY.
"Britain needs data centres," he said. "We need technology, we need growth. I understand this. I work in the media. I understand AI. I just want as many people to know what is being proposed before the decision is made. Because once developments of this scale are built, we don’t get to make the decision again."
He added: "Of course build the future, but don’t ask ordinary communities to quietly pay the price for it. It has got to be in the right place; it has got to be the right scale and the protections should be agreed before permission is given. That shouldn’t be controversial."
Political opposition and developer response
Ben Goldsborough, Labour MP for South Norfolk, and Daniel Elmer, Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council, have both said they will fight the plans.
A spokesman for Norwich Apex Ltd said: "The data centre will incorporate many types of noise mitigation strategies including acoustic enclosures to all chillers, use of 'free cooling' at night further reducing noise output, use of natural screening and acoustic barriers at select points of the site, which will also screen the view from nearby villages."
They added: "The acoustic assessment submitted as part of our planning application has predicted that subject to these measures, the data centre will not exceed the existing day and nighttime background sound level at all key sound receptors."
