menu_open Columnists
Ben Robinson

Ben Robinson

Eastern Daily Press

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

TV star reignites attack on 'absurd' data centre able to power 50,000 kettles

TV star reignites attack on 'absurd' data centre able to power 50,000 kettles

The battle over a huge data centre planned for the edge of Norwich has ramped up with TV star Jake Humphrey reigniting the row over the long-awaited...

latest 7

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

TV star reignites attack on 'absurd' data centre able to power 50,000 kettles

TV star reignites attack on 'absurd' data centre able to power 50,000 kettles

The battle over a huge data centre planned for the edge of Norwich has ramped up with TV star Jake Humphrey reigniting the row over the long-awaited...

latest 10

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Calls to expand e-scooter scheme to outskirts of city

Calls to expand e-scooter scheme to outskirts of city

Councillors are exploring whether a rentable e-scooter scheme could be expanded to a city suburb.

yesterday 10

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Calls to expand e-scooter scheme to outskirts of city

Calls to expand e-scooter scheme to outskirts of city

Councillors are exploring whether a rentable e-scooter scheme could be expanded to a city suburb.

yesterday 10

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Measure may be enforced at roundabout on city outskirts to 'discourage harsh braking'

Measure may be enforced at roundabout on city outskirts to 'discourage harsh braking'

The speed limit approaching a major roundabout on the outskirts of Norwich could be reduced to “discourage harsh braking”.

yesterday 10

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Measure may be enforced at roundabout on city outskirts to 'discourage harsh braking'

Measure may be enforced at roundabout on city outskirts to 'discourage harsh braking'

The speed limit approaching a major roundabout on the outskirts of Norwich could be reduced to “discourage harsh braking”.

yesterday 10

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

The Thickthorn tremors... Homes rattled by huge vibrations from £200m roadworks

The Thickthorn tremors... Homes rattled by huge vibrations from £200m roadworks

They have been the bane of motorists’ lives for almost a year.

saturday 10

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

The Thickthorn tremors... Homes rattled by huge vibrations from £200m roadworks

The Thickthorn tremors... Homes rattled by huge vibrations from £200m roadworks

They have been the bane of motorists’ lives for almost a year.

saturday 10

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Leader of Great Yarmouth First stepping down over impact on family life

Leader of Great Yarmouth First stepping down over impact on family life

The leader of Great Yarmouth First has announced he is stepping down from the role due to the pressure of politics "overspilling" into his family...

09.10.2026 10

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Beach boardwalk may be permanently removed as replacement could cost up to £400k

Beach boardwalk may be permanently removed as replacement could cost up to £400k

A boardwalk could be removed from a Norfolk beach under new plans being drawn up by County Hall.

09.10.2026 10

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

New housing estate in village rejected amid concerns it would look out of place

New housing estate in village rejected amid concerns it would look out of place

Controversial plans to build a new housing estate in a Norfolk village have been rejected amid concerns the homes would look out of place.

09.10.2026 10

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Plans submitted for huge data centre in countryside on outskirts of Norwich

Plans submitted for huge data centre in countryside on outskirts of Norwich

Plans for a controversial data centre in countryside on the outskirts of Norwich have been submitted.

07.10.2026 20

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Plans submitted for huge data centre in countryside on outskirts of Norwich

Plans submitted for huge data centre in countryside on outskirts of Norwich

Plans for a controversial data centre in countryside on the outskirts of Norwich have been submitted.

07.10.2026 10

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Council criticises owner of historic hotel after agreeing to pay £250k for repairs

Council criticises owner of historic hotel after agreeing to pay £250k for repairs

A Norfolk council has criticised the owner of a neglected 17th-century hotel after agreeing to spend a quarter of a million pounds on emergency...

07.10.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Controversial warehouse plans pulled just hours after officials urge refusal

Controversial warehouse plans pulled just hours after officials urge refusal

A firm's controversial plans for a new warehouse complex off the NDR have been withdrawn just hours after it was recommended they should be blocked.

05.10.2026 20

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Controversial warehouse plans pulled just hours after officials urge refusal

Controversial warehouse plans pulled just hours after officials urge refusal

A firm's controversial plans for a new warehouse complex off the NDR have been withdrawn just hours after it was recommended they should be blocked.

05.10.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Care home on site of former sports and social club recommended approval

Care home on site of former sports and social club recommended approval

A former sports and social club ground with more than 60 years of history is set to be converted into a care home.

05.10.2026 30

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Care home on site of former sports and social club recommended approval

Care home on site of former sports and social club recommended approval

A former sports and social club ground with more than 60 years of history is set to be converted into a care home.

05.10.2026 50

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

N&N unveils ambitious plan for solar farm 1.5 miles away to power site

N&N unveils ambitious plan for solar farm 1.5 miles away to power site

Norfolk’s largest hospital wants to join the solar revolution by building an array of panels at the edge of a village a mile-and-a-half away from...

03.10.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

N&N unveils ambitious plan for solar farm 1.5 miles away to power site

N&N unveils ambitious plan for solar farm 1.5 miles away to power site

Norfolk’s largest hospital wants to join the solar revolution by building an array of panels at the edge of a village a mile-and-a-half away from...

03.10.2026 30

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Plans unveiled for more than 100 new homes to help 'regenerate' area of coastal town

Plans unveiled for more than 100 new homes to help 'regenerate' area of coastal town

More than 100 new homes could be built on brownfield land in Gorleston, it has emerged.

02.10.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Council battling one of UK's biggest solar farms in chaos after mass resignations

Council battling one of UK's biggest solar farms in chaos after mass resignations

A parish council on the frontline of the fight against one of the UK’s biggest solar farms has been thrown into chaos and is currently unable to...

02.10.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Norfolk council forced to change rules for landlords after legal challenge

Norfolk council forced to change rules for landlords after legal challenge

A Norfolk council has been forced to alter the licensing conditions it imposed on landlords in a bid to improve the lives of renters following a...

02.10.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Council's former HQ with nuclear bunker boarded up after urban explorers break in

Work is being carried out to stop urban explorers from breaking into a council's former headquarters on the outskirts of Norwich.

01.10.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Council's former HQ with nuclear bunker boarded up after urban explorers break in

Work is being carried out to stop urban explorers from breaking into a council's former headquarters on the outskirts of Norwich.

01.10.2026 20

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Norfolk village hit by ‘horrendous’ stench as manure fire burns for 10 days

A Norfolk village is being plagued with the stench of manure amid an ongoing muck heap fire, forcing some locals to remain in their homes.

30.09.2026 20

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Norfolk village hit by ‘horrendous’ stench as manure fire burns for 10 days

A Norfolk village is being plagued with the stench of manure amid an ongoing muck heap fire, forcing some locals to remain in their homes.

30.09.2026 100

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Last chance for locals to have say on where new homes could be built

Locals have just one week left to have their say on where new homes and businesses could be built across Great Yarmouth.

30.09.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Labour blocks plans to ask ministers for money back after botched council reforms

A political row has broken out after a council's plans to ask ministers to refund them the money it poured into local government reorganisation were...

29.09.2026 40

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Derelict hotel at centre of fraud investigation as council starts work to save it

A troubled Grade II listed building is at the centre of an ongoing fraud investigation, it can be revealed.

29.09.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Revolt against plans for 150 affordable homes in middle class village grows

A rebellion against plans to build more than 150 affordable homes on the outskirts of a middle class garden village is growing.

28.09.2026 20

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Revolt against plans for 150 affordable homes in middle class village grows

A rebellion against plans to build more than 150 affordable homes on the outskirts of a middle class garden village is growing.

28.09.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Norfolk MP vows to ramp up security after campaigner 'punched' while canvassing

A Norfolk MP has confirmed he will be increasing security measures after a party activist was punched in the face while handing out leaflets.

22.09.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Officials block new homes bid amid fears it would see village merge with neighbour

Plans for new homes in a Norfolk village have been thwarted over fears it would wipe out the gap separating it from a neighbouring community.

22.09.2026 20

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Officials block new homes bid amid fears it would see village merge with neighbour

Plans for new homes in a Norfolk village have been thwarted over fears it would wipe out the gap separating it from a neighbouring community.

22.09.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Closure of riverside factory prompts rethink for Broads Authority's £10m funding bid

The planned closure of a Norfolk sugar beet factory has forced the Broads Authority to rethink its bid for £10million to fund projects telling the...

22.09.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Council exploring using park and ride site to tackle airport 'fly-parking'

Council bosses are exploring whether repurposing a park and ride site could solve the long-term issue of ‘fly-parking’ around Norwich Airport.

21.09.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Council exploring using park and ride site to tackle airport 'fly-parking'

Council bosses are exploring whether repurposing a park and ride site could solve the long-term issue of ‘fly-parking’ around Norwich Airport.

21.09.2026 30

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Councillors could demand refund after Norfolk council shake-up abandoned

Norfolk councils are considering asking ministers to refund them the money they spent on the now-abandoned plans to reorganise local government.

19.09.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Council increases fines for litter louts to £750 in crackdown

Litter louts in part of Norfolk could face fines of up to £750 under tougher enforcement powers being introduced.

19.09.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

'Buckling' GP practice left in limbo as council demands urgent £6.3m surgery sign-off

A Norfolk council is pushing for healthcare bosses to stop holding up its plans to build a new doctors’ surgery in one of Norfolk’s...

18.09.2026 50

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

'Buckling' GP practice left in limbo as council demands urgent £6.3m surgery sign-off

A Norfolk council is pushing for healthcare bosses to stop holding up its plans to build a new doctors’ surgery in one of Norfolk’s...

18.09.2026 40

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Fresh push to resurrect 'dwindling' market with move to 'more visible spot'

A fresh bid to move Great Yarmouth's two-day market to a busier and "more visible" spot has been launched.

18.09.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Driver hit with fake ticket from vigilante traffic warden after 'disgraceful' parking

A woman was issued with a fake parking ticket bearing a town council logo after parking on a grass verge while running late for an appointment.

17.09.2026 30

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Driver hit with fake ticket from vigilante traffic warden after 'disgraceful' parking

A woman was issued with a fake parking ticket bearing a town council logo after parking on a grass verge while running late for an appointment.

17.09.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

New homes set for 'Solar Central' village... while others remain unsold

New homes could be built in a village dubbed Norfolk’s ‘Solar Central’ because of the amount of renewable energy infrastructure due to be...

17.09.2026 30

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Locals moved to tears during second day of hearings for controversial solar farm

People were moved to tears as they warned of the threat a proposed 2,700-acre solar farm could have on their lives.

16.09.2026 30

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Locals moved to tears during second day of hearings for controversial solar farm

People were moved to tears as they warned of the threat a proposed 2,700-acre solar farm could have on their lives.

16.09.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson

Controversial bid for major data centre to be submitted this month

A controversial bid for a major data centre on the outskirts of Norwich is expected to be submitted this month.

16.09.2026 20

Norwich Evening News

Ben Robinson

Solar farm inspectors could visit locals' homes during £1bn scheme assessment

The Planning Inspectorate could take the unusual step of visiting people’s homes as part of its examination of the huge East Pye solar farm proposal.

16.09.2026 20

Eastern Daily Press

Ben Robinson