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In the village of Keswick, near Norwich, a plan to build a large data centre has sparked a lot of debate and concern among local residents. Nearly 5,000 people have signed a petition to oppose the construction of the Norwich Apex Data Centre, which would be located on land being developed into a business park. This area is close to Marston Marsh, a protected nature site, and many villagers are worried about the possible effects on the environment and their community.

Data centres are huge buildings filled with powerful computers that help run many of the digital services we use every day, such as streaming movies and online banking. The UK already has hundreds of data centres, and experts say more will be built in the coming years because of the growing demand for technology and artificial intelligence. The government considers data centres to be very important for the country’s future, but there are concerns about how much energy and water they use.

The proposed data centre in Keswick would need a massive amount of electricity, about 150 megawatts, which is enough to power a small town. It would be built on a business park near a large supermarket, and the land is already being prepared for development. However, a new application is needed for the data centre itself. The site is about 650 meters from Marston Marsh, and many people are worried about the impact on the local environment.

At a recent meeting in Keswick, many residents came to learn more about the project and share their opinions. Some, like Jan Hill, the chairperson of the parish council, want to see more details before making a decision. She said that people in Keswick care deeply about keeping their village the way it is and not letting it become just another part of Norwich. Others, like Sue Gilbert, are worried about the environmental cost. She said that while she understands the need for technology, she is concerned about the amount of energy the data centre will use, especially as temperatures rise and the climate changes.

James Harvey, a local councillor from the Green Party, said the issue is complicated. He believes that more data centres and solar farms will be needed if the UK wants to keep up with other countries. However, he also thinks it is important to make sure these projects are done in the right way, using renewable energy and not harming the local area.

The company behind the project, Norwich Apex, says the data centre will be powered by green energy from wind farms off the Norfolk coast. William Anthony, the director, said that the centre will use a special water system that recycles water, so it will not use much new water. He also promised that the centre will not be noisy and will not cause more traffic than the business park would have. He believes the data centre will be one of the most advanced buildings in Norfolk and will not harm the people living nearby.

The public can still share their opinions about the project before the final decision is made. The company plans to submit their application to the council soon. Many people in Keswick are waiting to see what will happen and hope their concerns will be taken seriously.