Plans for a 150-megawatt data centre in Keswick on the southern edge of Norwich have drawn thousands of petition signatures and a formal objection from the leader of South Norfolk Council, citing concerns over noise, wildlife impact, and the scale of the facility near protected marshes.
Keswick Data Centre Plan Faces Resistance Over Noise and Scale
An application submitted to South Norfolk Council proposes building a 150-megawatt facility in Keswick on the edge of Norwich. The land currently holds planning permission for a business park, but the developer has pivoted toward constructing the digital infrastructure instead.
The project sits close to Marston Marshes, a protected wildlife area, and near a listed church. Thousands of local residents have already signed a petition opposing the scheme, pointing to potential threats to neighbouring habitats, water usage, and the visual footprint of the development.
Rooftop Chillers May Generate High Noise Levels
Environmental assessments included in the planning application reveal that the data centre has the potential to generate very high levels of noise to the surrounding area
and will demand extensive mitigation measures. The bulk of that acoustic output would originate from 72 chiller units stationed on the roof.
“Our environmental assessments conclude the data centre will not harm nearby designated wildlife sites.”
spokesperson
A representative for the project noted that the site's layout ensures everyday sound emissions at nearby vulnerable spots match current ambient sound levels.
To address resource consumption worries, developers state the facility will rely on air-cooling technology rather than drawing water from local rivers or marshes. Water requirements would be limited to basic amenities such as staff toilets and facilities.
South Norfolk Council Leader Objects to Project Size
Daniel Elmer, the Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council and county councillor for Keswick, announced plans to formally object to the proposal. He criticized the physical dimensions of the project at a gateway entrance to the city.
“My personal view, is that it is just too damned big for the site it would be on. 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.”
Daniel Elmer, Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council and county councillor for Keswick, via Yahoo
Despite the pushback, Norwich Apex Data Centre emphasizes that the project could generate up to 150 permanent jobs. The firm also plans to implement landscaping and planting to screen the structure from view.
Broader Local Planning Clashes Across UK Data Developments
The Keswick dispute highlights a wider friction point over data centre placement. Looking forward, Keswick is not the only data centre plan meeting resistance, as Greenwich Council has opposed a Charlton Riverside proposal because it wants the area for homes.
While the Greenwich dispute focuses primarily on land use, the Keswick battle centers on environmental impact, noise mitigation, and scale. For operators hunting for UK sites with nearby electrical grid connections, the South Norfolk application will serve as a test case for how planning authorities weigh developer mitigation promises against environmental findings. Situated adjacent to Marston Marshes—a designated nature conservation zone—and a nearby electrical substation linked to North Sea offshore wind farms capable of providing electricity, Norwich Apex Data Centre seeks to construct the project on this adjacent plot.