Huge data centre plan sees hundreds attend meeting

More than 400 people were at a public meeting to share concerns about plans to build what would be one of the UK's biggest data centres and accompanying solar farms.

The Longmarsh Green Energy (LGE) project would cover 4,695 acres (1,900 hectares) of farmland across two sites south of King's Lynn in Norfolk.

Dr Martin Little, who leads the Stop Longmarsh Energy (SLE) campaign group, said the proposal would "destroy" farming land.

LGE, which revealed the plans last month, said they "welcome comments during this consultation period".

The hall at Tilney All Saints was full on Monday evening, with locals even following proceedings from the car park.

Farmer James Kitchen grows wheat, barley and oilseed rape on land that would neighbour the data centre.

He said he was "gobsmacked" to hear about the project.

Natural England, a public body which advises the government, classifies the affected area as grade one - meaning it is "excellent quality agricultural land".

"We've got some really good heavy silt land here - it's very good at producing good quality produce," said Kitchen.

Despite this year's drought, he said his yields were still high because of the way the soil in the Fens retains moisture.

Resident Amanda Naish said the project would ruin the countryside views she currently enjoyed.

"I just feel like I'm living in a nightmare," she said.

"I'm not against AI. I think it's a necessity for us all going forward. I just think that there needs to be thought, there needs to be balance."

David Rutter, who lives in the village, has been researching data centres since receiving a letter from LGE explaining the plans.

He fears the noise will be heard up to a mile away and will effect human health and the environment including birds.

Little, who lives in the village, said he was proud to be a so-called nimby - an acronym for "not in my back yard".

"Everybody - and I do mean everybody - is a nimby when the time comes.

"If anyone out there thinks they aren't a nimby, come and buy my house from me and live surrounded by glass for the rest of time."

Little echoed the views of those who spoke at the meeting, saying they were not against data centres or solar farms, but that they should be smaller in scale and on brownfield sites.

Referring to the potential loss of farmland, he added: "Is it dinner or data? It's as simple as that."

LGE was invited to the meeting - which was organised by the local parish council - but declined.

In a statement, it said: "We have already received helpful feedback during the community consultation.

"We are committed to working with residents nearest to the proposals to develop site-specific mitigation measures, including appropriate planting, screening and landscape treatments prior to submission."

The MP for South West Norfolk, Terry Jermy, said the meeting turnout was "amazing".

"Food security is absolutely crucial," he said. "We cannot have improving energy security but worsening food security."

The Labour politician said he would be pushing for a ban on solar farms being built on farmland which is classed as grade two or higher.

Parts of Europe already have restrictions on placing solar farms on high quality farming land, including across Italy and in parts of Spain.

In last week's Budget, the chancellor announced a Data Centre Covenant, requiring operators to invest in local communities, create jobs and protect water supplies in return for the best grid connections.

The scale of the proposal deems it a nationally significant infrastructure project, so the ultimate decision rests with the government rather than the local council.

A public consultation is open via the project's website until 26 November. An application is due to be submitted by April 2027.

It could take six months for the plans to be examined by the Planning Inspectorate. A decision could be made by July 2028.

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