Core Planning Reasoning
The Inspector recommended the removal of a temporary 3-year condition (Condition No. 2), concluding that the energy storage unit is ancillary to an established data centre use, is well-screened from the public realm, and does not negatively impact the visual or residential amenities of the area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed development is ancillary to the existing, authorised data centre operation on a site appropriately zoned for employment uses.
- The siting of the three shipping containers at the rear of the facility ensures they are not visible from the public realm and will not detract from the visual amenities of the Citywest Business Park.
- Condition No. 2, limiting the permission to a period of three years, is considered overly onerous and unnecessary given the nature, scale, and screened location of the development.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Zoning 'EE' (Enterprise and Employment)Section 12.2.1(vi) (Non-Conforming Uses)Section 9.3 (Space Extensive Land Use)Section 11.2.5Section 12.9.2 (Enterprise and Employment Areas)Policy EDE1EDE1 Objective 3Policy EDE7Policy E3E3 Objective 1E3 Objective 2E3 Objective 3E2 Objective 4Table 12.27Table 13.4Table 13.8Table 13.10
Decision Document Summary
The application relates to the installation of an energy storage facility comprising three 40ft shipping containers (approx. 108sq.m) at an existing data centre at 4033 Citywest Avenue. South Dublin County Council initially granted permission but imposed a 3-year temporary limit (Condition 2), stating that containers are temporary structures and permanent housing should be provided in a modern business park. The applicant appealed this specific condition, arguing that containerized units are sta...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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