Plans to proceed with a data centre in Mayo opposed by international best-selling author, Sally Rooney have been stalled.
This follows a third party appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Mayo County Council’s decision to grant planning permission last month to Mayo Data Hub Ltd for a data centre at Mullafarry and Tawnaghmore Upper, Killala.
One of the objectors to the data centre, Colin Doyle from Station Rd, Ennis, Co Clare has lodged the third party appeal.
RTE is reporting that the data centre for a site, located 1.8km to the south of Killala and 10.5km to the north of Ballina, will require 50MW average electrical power to operate.
A planning report lodged with the application by John Spain Associates states that proposed development “will attract complementary technology-based companies within the ICT sector and complementary industries to the west of Ireland which will provide for higher paying jobs and activate the local economy”.
The Spain planning report also states that the electricity grid in the west of Ireland is currently unconstrained with sufficient capacity to accommodate the required connection for the data centre.
The report states that the project “was in fact situated in this part of Ireland after consultation with Eirgrid because this location is outside grid constrained areas and in a region with a surplus of renewable power”.
In his original objection with the Council, Mr Doyle stated that his main concern was indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) generated by the data centre and the resulting impact on climate.
In her own objection to the centre, Sally Rooney told the Council that “I urge you in the strongest possible terms to refuse planning permission for this wasteful, unnecessary and environmentally toxic proposal”.
A decision is due on the appeal in September.
