Norfolk residents oppose vast data centre and solar farm plan

Residents near Tilney St Lawrence in Norfolk have mobilised against plans for a vast data centre and solar farm, saying the development could permanently alter their rural community. The proposal matters because it would use extensive fertile farmland and could affect local views, noise levels, wildlife and traffic.

The Longmarsh Green Energy project would cover 4,700 acres across two sites and cost £25 billion, with the data centre expected to open in 2032. Developers say it could use up to one gigawatt of power while the solar farm generates up to 1.3 gigawatts; campaigners argue solar output is intermittent and much of the centre’s power would still come from the national grid. A petition opposing the plan gathered 43,000 signatures in a week, and residents have raised concerns about a nearby heron colony in a protected site.