A 150-megawatt data centre planned for Keswick, a village on the outskirts of Norwich, has triggered widespread opposition over fears it could generate excessive noise and damage nearby wildlife habitats. Environmental assessments submitted to South Norfolk Council acknowledge the facility would produce "very high noise levels" without substantial mitigation, while thousands of residents have signed petitions opposing the scheme.
Norwich Apex Ltd submitted its application in October 2026 for the facility, which would occupy approximately seven acres (three hectares) and comprise a two-storey data centre building alongside a three-storey office block and substation. The site is located roughly 650 metres from Marston Marsh, situated in the River Yare valley, and sits opposite a Tesco superstore on the A140 Ipswich Road.
The proposal has generated significant public concern. According to local reporting, the petition had attracted almost 15,000 signatures by the time the plans were submitted. Daniel Elmer, the Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council and county councillor for Keswick, has announced he will formally object to the application, describing the development as disproportionately large for its location.
My personal view, is that it is just too damned big for the site it would be on. It is right next to the marshes and the southern edge of Norwich, while it is near a listed church. That's the southern gateway into the city of Norwich. I think you have to think, in terms of the Norwich 'brand', what visitors to the city would see when they travel down that road.
What noise and environmental impacts are expected?
Environmental assessments have identified noise as a primary concern, with the facility having the potential to generate very high noise levels across the surrounding area. The majority of noise would originate from 72 chiller units positioned on the roof of the main building. The developer claims that with extensive mitigation measures in place, operational noise levels at sensitive nearby locations would align with existing background noise levels.
Regarding water usage, Norwich Apex has stated that the data centre will employ air-cooling technology, eliminating the need for water in the cooling process. Water consumption would be limited to essential facilities such as toilets and staff amenities, with no extraction from neighbouring rivers or marshes.
How does the developer address wildlife concerns?
Norwich Apex has defended the scheme by asserting that environmental assessments demonstrate the data centre will not harm protected wildlife sites, including Marston Marshes. The company has committed to implementing planting and landscaping measures designed to screen the development and minimise its visual impact on the surrounding landscape.
The facility would also benefit from proximity to an electrical substation serving offshore wind farms in the North Sea, allowing it to draw renewable power from that source. The developer projects the scheme could generate up to 150 permanent jobs for the local area.
What is the planning history of this site?
The broader site received outline planning approval in 2018, with detailed plans approved in 2022, and construction of the original business park scheme is currently underway. The data centre proposal requires a separate planning application, as it represents a departure from the previously approved business park development.
What happens next in the planning process?
South Norfolk Council lists the application as reference 2026/2957 and is assessing the application and representations, including formal comments from technical consultees, though it cannot yet indicate the likely outcome. Norwich Apex's published indicative timetable anticipated a planning decision in winter 2026/2027 and construction starting in autumn 2027.
Key Facts
- The proposed facility would be a 150-megawatt data centre covering approximately seven acres, located 650 metres from Marston Marsh
- Environmental assessments acknowledge the potential for very high noise levels, primarily from 72 roof-mounted chiller units, requiring extensive mitigation
- The scheme would use air-cooling technology with no water extraction from local rivers or marshes, though water would be needed for staff facilities
- Almost 15,000 people signed a petition opposing the development before the application was submitted in October 2026
- The site previously had planning permission for a business park; this data centre application represents a separate proposal requiring its own approval
