Residents in the small rural villages of Tilney St Lawrence and surrounding areas in Norfolk are mobilizing in opposition to a colossal proposed data centre and solar farm development, reported to be larger than Heathrow Airport. The project, named Longmarsh Green Energy, spans 4,700 acres and aims to generate up to 1.3 gigawatts of power.
News of the development, which is expected to go live in 2032, reached the Fenland community only two weeks ago, sparking immediate anger and astonishment. A petition against the plans has garnered over 43,000 signatures in a week. Campaigners have formed a group called Stop Longmarsh, determined to resist what they perceive as a threat to their way of life.
Developers claim the project will be critical for future UK economic growth and will require up to one gigawatt of power. However, Stop Longmarsh contends that the solar farm's energy generation is not constant, and up to 85 percent of the data centre's power will still need to be drawn from the national grid. Developers have since clarified that the solar generation is expected to provide around 20% of the data centre's estimated annual electricity consumption of 6,000 gigawatt hours, with batteries used to balance supply and imported electricity.
Local concerns extend beyond energy supply. Residents fear the impact of the eight-storey data buildings and vast solar panel arrays on their idyllic rural views, citing potential noise and light pollution. The loss of fertile agricultural land is also a major point of contention. Campaigners estimate that the acreage proposed for the tech project could produce enough wheat for 25.5 million loaves of bread, sufficient to meet the nation's needs for three days.
Environmental worries include the effect on local wildlife, particularly a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest heronry at nearby Tilney-cum-Islington, home to the largest breeding colony of grey herons in Norfolk. Questions have also been raised about potential glare from the solar panels affecting aircraft using the nearby RAF Marham airbase, and the impact of necessary power pylons on farmland.
Barry Ayres, Chairman of Tilney St Lawrence Parish Council, expressed the community's dismay, highlighting the scale of the development and the lack of satisfactory answers from developers regarding the use of prime agricultural land over brownfield sites. He noted the developers' refusal to attend a public parish council meeting.
Environmental scientist Dr. Martin Little is leading the local opposition, drawing parallels to past successful campaigns against industrial developments. He criticizes the government's eagerness to approve such projects, even when local objections are substantial.
Some residents, like events manager Tracey Lloyd, have vowed to physically block construction traffic if necessary, emphasizing the community's organized and determined resistance. Others, such as retiree Robin James, who moved to the area for its peaceful countryside, are dismayed by the prospect of a security fence and endless solar panels replacing their current views.
Fourth-generation farmer James Kitchen voiced concerns about pylons crossing his farm and the loss of land dedicated to food production. Meanwhile, the Goodley family, whose land is part of the proposed site, stands to benefit financially from leasing or selling their property to the developers.
Terry Jermy, the Labour MP for South West Norfolk, has formally opposed the Longmarsh proposal, citing concerns about the loss of agricultural land, food security, and resource implications, particularly water usage in an area already facing water stress. He also pointed to potential environmental harm and increased wildfire risk.
Longmarsh Green Energy stated that their data centre design includes a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water usage and that there are no sufficiently large brownfield sites available within 25 kilometers of the required substation. They maintain that construction routes would be planned to avoid nearby villages where possible and have invited written responses from parish councils for their feedback.
The project is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning its decision rests with the Energy Secretary via a Development Consent Order. A formal decision is anticipated by July 2028, with construction potentially beginning in 2029 and completion around 2032. Public consultation on the current proposals is scheduled to end on November 26.