Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Large data centre and solar farm proposed on farmland in rural Norfolk
A £25 billion data centre and solar farm are proposed near King's Lynn, Norfolk.
The Longmarsh Green Energy project would cover 4,700 acres across two sites and is planned to begin operating in 2032.
Developers say the solar farm could generate up to 1.3 gigawatts, while the data centre could need up to one gigawatt at a time.
Local campaigners say the solar power would be intermittent and the centre would still rely heavily on the national grid.
Residents in Tilney St Lawrence and nearby settlements oppose building the project on fertile farmland, and worry about noise, night lighting and harm to wildlife.
The area includes a protected site with Norfolk's largest breeding colony of grey herons.
Opponents say the project could damage farmland and local habitats.
A petition against the proposal has gathered 43,000 signatures, and campaigners have questioned why the development cannot use brownfield land instead.
The developers say the project is critical to future UK economic growth.
A £25 billion data centre and solar farm covering 4,700 acres is proposed on farmland near King's Lynn in Norfolk.
The Longmarsh Green Energy project would be spread across two sites and is planned to go live in 2032.
Developers say the project is critical for future UK economic growth, and that its solar farm could generate up to 1.3 gigawatts.
Residents and the Stop Longmarsh campaign oppose the development, citing farmland loss, landscape and wildlife impacts, and concerns about power supply.
A petition opposing the plan had collected 43,000 signatures in a week, according to the Daily Mail.
- Who
- Longmarsh Green Energy is proposing the project. Residents and the Stop Longmarsh campaign oppose it.
- What
- A data centre and solar farm covering 4,700 acres are proposed.
- When
- The project is planned to go live in 2032.
- Where
- On farmland at two sites near Tilney St Lawrence and King's Lynn, Norfolk.
- Why
- Developers say it is critical for future UK economic growth. Opponents cite the loss of farmland and possible impacts on views, wildlife, noise and light.
Longmarsh Green Energy
Stop Longmarsh and local residents
Purpose and location
Longmarsh Green Energy
The developers say the project is critical for future UK economic growth.
Stop Longmarsh and local residents
Campaigners question why it is being built on agricultural land rather than brownfield sites.
Power supply
Longmarsh Green Energy
The developers say the solar farm could generate up to 1.3GW, while the centre would require up to 1GW at any given time.
Stop Longmarsh and local residents
Campaigners say solar output is not constant and claim up to 85 per cent of the centre's power would still have to come from the national grid.
Residents learned of the proposed project, according to the Daily Mail.
A petition opposing the plan collected 43,000 signatures, according to the Daily Mail.
Developers were invited to a parish council public meeting but said they would not attend, according to Barry Ayres.
The data centre is planned to go live.
- Project area
- 4,700 acres
- Project cost
- £25 billion
- Planned operating date
- 2032
- Solar farm capacity
- Up to 1.3GW
- Data centre power demand
- Up to 1GW at any given time
- Petition signatures
- 43,000 in one week
What people are saying
The scale of this thing is out of this world
Why are they building it on agricultural land and not on any of the many brownfield sites in the area?