A developer has defended proposals for a £1.2bn data centre on the outskirts of Norwich, arguing that the project could bring significant benefits to the region despite attracting thousands of objections.
Matt Bartram, chief executive of Norwich Apex Ltd, said the proposed development, located opposite Tesco Harford Bridge on the A140, could help establish Norwich as a major technology hub amid growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
The developer aims to create one of the UK’s “greenest data centres”, although campaigners have raised concerns about the potential environmental impact on nearby wildlife sites, warning of “terrible consequences”.
If planning permission is granted, construction could begin towards the end of 2027, with the facility expected to become operational in 2028.
Bartram said: “I doubt Norfolk will see many opportunities like this again.
“Norwich will become a tech hub.
“This is something that will be a positive thing for Norwich. We will develop this in a responsible manner.
“Data centres are becoming increasingly important to our everyday lives, supporting everything from healthcare and financial services to the development of artificial intelligence.”
Planning applications have been submitted to South Norfolk Council for the proposed development in Keswick, with a decision expected early next year.
Opponents have expressed concerns about the site’s proximity to Marston Marsh, a 64-acre protected nature reserve on the outskirts of the city.
Broadcaster Jake Humphrey, who lives close to the proposed development, is among the most prominent campaigners opposing the plans.
However, Bartram said ecological assessments indicated that the data centre “is not expected to have any discernible impact” on surrounding nature reserves.
He also explained that the facility would use a closed-loop water cooling system, meaning no additional water would be required once the system had been initially filled.
The developer has also proposed mitigation measures to ensure noise from the 72 cooling units planned for the rooftop does not increase existing background noise levels from nearby roads.
Bartram added: “We recognise that a development of this scale raises legitimate questions about its environmental impact and what it means for neighbouring communities.
“Our ambition is to deliver a development that benefits the region economically while setting high standards for environmental responsibility.”
The Norwich Apex data centre would require 150MW of electricity to operate. The developer hopes to use wind-generated power by connecting the facility to the nearby Hornsea 3 substation.
Although the proposed development represents a substantial investment, its scale is considerably smaller than another data centre project planned elsewhere in Norfolk.
