An AI Data Centre is being proposed on the large triangle of land opposite Tesco near Harford Bridge. Data centres are already causing concern in other parts of the country because of their size, energy and water requirements, heat output, etc., etc, …..
The environmental impact of the Centre on the Yare Valley Green infrastructure Corridor could be huge!
Respond now to the pre-planning application consultation which ends on July 12. You can find out more by attending an event at the Keswick Reading Rooms between 3pm and 7pm on July 7 when the plans can be discussed.
Here is a link to what is being proposed: apex Norwich Data Centre . If the link does not work, try using another browser!
The clarity of the Apex site is less than adequate, and so do get along to the event on July 7 if you possibly can.
There are many questions to be asked, and some of the questions the YVS committee will be asking are in the latest Newsletter N128 July 2026.
Many other opportunities to give nature a helping hand in the Valley, but more often further afield, are available through the Conservation Volunteers organised by Mark Webster. The July programme, and Mark’s letter of the month are here.
All are welcome to join a Yare Valley Meadow Makers (YVMM) work party to collect ox-eye daisy seeds from Strawberry Field on Sunday 5th July from 2 to 3 pm. Meet at 2 pm at the main Strawberry Field gate ( on Bluebell Road) near to the McCarthy Stone Sheltered Housing development. YVMM will use the seeds in the autumn to boost its other meadow sites. Please let Matt Tomlinson of the YVMM know if you hope to come along (yarevalleymeadowmakers@gmail.com).
Respond now to the pre-planning application consultation of LNT Care Developments on their proposals for a 66 bed Care home on the former Bartram Mowers site, Bluebell Road, Eaton. This is a large structure that impacts on the Yare Valley Green Corridor. You have only until Thursday 11th June 2026 to respond.
Care Home would occupy roughly the position of existing building Photo: Lisa Morgan
The proposals are here, and the response form is here.
We feel the present proposals are woefully inadequate for a large structure that will be visible from many directions in the Valley Green Corridor:
Contrary to the claims made by LNT:
The design seems very much to be from a standard pattern book, more suited to an inner urban area. There is little evidence of materials (or design) that are “in keeping with local styles” or with the local setting adjacent to the Yare Valley Green Space.
The proposals “include new planting and landscaping throughout the site, alongside the retention of the majority of the existing trees”. Unfortunately, the development boundary (inside the red line) is very tightly drawn around the structure, and is far too restrictive for adequate “softening” landscape around the structure, and excludes almost all the existing mature trees. Is it really necessary to remove any mature trees within the site?
LNT state that “the existing mature trees along the boundary of the site sit outside of our site area and will therefore not be removed as part of our proposals.” LNT may not remove them, but this is an admission that they have no control over the possible removal of the existing mature trees in the future. Such removal could have a devastating visual impact on the views from the surrounding area including the Strawberry Field. The proposals are unacceptable unless the site boundary can be drawn more widely to include the existing mature trees that would help to screen the structure.
Screening trees are outside of development site. Will they be there in the future? Photo: Lisa Morgan
In the propsals we can find no mention of measures to deliver a net biodiversity gain. Such measures are important for a development adjacent to the Yare Valley Green Corridor.
When completing the feedback form, if you are against the proposals in their present form, please avoid saying anything that might be construed as supporting the development e.g. avoid responding to question 2. Good luck!
All who value the green space of the Yare Valley are welcome to come along to the Yare Valley Society AGM and presentation on progressing the UEA Boardwalk on Wednesday 17th June 2026 at 7.30pm at the Cringleford Sports Pavilion.
The AGM will be held first, and usually takes about 30 minutes. Papers for the AGM are here.
Last year at the AGM, Tom Everett, the UEA Landscape Manager gave a very well-received talk. This year he is joined by the UEA Boardwalk Team, Justine Mann and Orla Condra. Together they will be telling us how installing the Boardwalk might be expected to progress. They will welcome your ideas and suggestions to guide the project.
YVS partnered with the UEA in bids to finance the Boardwalk, and the committee appreciated working with the UEA team and for their exceptional effort in preparing and assembling the extensive documentation. See our post below on the 7th May.
Another full progamme this month, with quite a lot of attention going to the Wensum River Valley. Mark Webster writes:
“…We are all about the flowers this month, protecting newly seeded wildflower areas by removing more aggressive weeds, controlling bracken to enable a much wider range of heathland plants to thrive, and (of course) visiting lots of beautiful riverside sites, many that the public don’t get to see, to remove the dreaded Himalayan Balsam from the Wensum catchment before it can affect the Broads. We really do get to see some of the loveliest parts of Norfolk from the upper tributaries to almost the heart of Norwich.
So I hope you can send us more people soon, as we go Way Upstream into the Heart Of Darkness Hellesdon and beyond…”
Mark’s full letter, and the June programme is here.
Firstly though, a big thank you for the generosity of all who have contributed to the fund to replace the University of East Anglia (UEA) Boardwalk, exceeding the target of £5,000. The UEA/YVS bids for additional funding would not have been viable without your clear signal of strong community support.
Added to this is now £260,899 of funding from the Greater Norwich Growth Board. Taken together with funds from other sources, the total now covers the estimated cost of replacement of £439,708. Work on the new boardwalk will begin in Autumn 2026 to a timetable that will minimise the disturbance to wildlife. Completion is due in Spring 2027. See the UEA press release for more detail.
The UEA and Yare Valley Society (YVS) are also seeking funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for a “UEA Boardwalk Community Engagement Project”. The Project is a partnership between the YVS and UEA. It will give opportunities for people to say what they expect for the boardwalk, and their views and ideas for a launch event, for creating signage and interpretation panels, and for guiding promotional and educational materials.
The old boardwalkThe UEA team: Justine and Orla
The YVS committee was thrilled to work with a great UEA team. YVS and UEA worked in close cooperation to seek funds from the Greater Norwich Growth Board and the National Lottery Fund. Regular meetings and correspondence took place, and the YVS committee expresses its gratitude to the UEA team, Justine Mann and Orla Condra for their exceptional effort in preparing and assembling the extensive documentation.
Members of the YVS team, the UEA team, UEA Estate team, the Fringe Project, and Eaton Residents Association on site. Photo courtesy of UEA
All are welcome to join in the conservation activities. This monthly the activities include dealing with invasive plants such as yellow archangel, and in the Yare Valley at Bluebell woods next to Eaton Park, giving some tlc to some recently planted trees. Mark Webster’s full letter and programme are here.
On the 25 to 26th April Norwich Community Gardens Festival will celebrate and make better known the work of many volunteers who give time to caring for green spaces around the City. You can come along and support the volunteers in a range of activities across the City. Included is an opportunity to meet volunteers at Danby Wood in the Yare Valley between 9am and 3pm on Sunday 26th.
Other attractions are a Norwich Tales and Trails Puzzle Walk, a bike ride, a herb propagation workshop and a children’s Spotting and Activity Sheet.
The Yare Valley Meadow Makers will hold their AGM Meeting at Warwick Arms Public House (upstairs room) on Wednesday the 15th of April 7:30-9:30pm.
The YVMM continue to extend their activities. Amongst the past year achievements were
An interpretation/notice board erected at the top of UEA Broad Hay meadow,
Received a Norfolk Biodiversity award in the spaces for nature and wellbeing category.
Over 5kg of wildflower seeds sown on the UEA Broad hay meadow
Further planting on Strawberry field to better establish yellow rattle.
Trial sowing of wildflower seed on the old donkey sanctuary to see how this might develop.
Planting of 165 native trees on the UEA meadows to help provide better support for wildflowers in times of drought.
Amongst the activities proposed for next year are botanical surveys, more tree planting, Yellow rattle and Red Bartsia seed collection, and a review of the old donkey sanctuary.
The Agenda for the AGM is here, and the Annual Report for 2025-2026 is here.
