‘Law misapplied’ for Apple data centre

THE Supreme Court has begun hearing complaints about the way An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the first phase of a controversial planned €850million data centre for Apple.

In May the tech giant scrapped the project, which was slated for Athenry, Co. Galway, citing planning process delays.

The appeal by two objectors to the data centre continues before a five-judge Supreme Court. If they are successful, it will affect how the planning board assesses similar developments in the future.

Michael McDowell SC, for Sinéad Fitzpatrick, who lives near the planned development, and Allan Daly, of Athenry, said the law had been ‘radically misapplied’ by An Bord Pleanála.

The board’s inspector had stated that permission would not have been granted for just one data centre on the 500-acre site.

Instead, permission was granted on the basis that a total of eight ‘data halls’ would be built to house electronic servers.

Mr McDowell said the inspector only assessed the energy demands and environmental impact of one centre, not eight.

He said it was argued by his clients that the completed project would use between 6% and 8% of all national grid power.

Mr McDowell said the board’s inspector had nevertheless decided that the economic consequences for the region had outweighed any possible downside in terms of energy use. His clients’ arguments are opposed by the board and the State.