Core Planning Reasoning
The proposed development is contrary to updated national policy (Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres 2022 and Climate Action Plan 2023) as it fails to demonstrate sufficient economic impact, efficient use of grid capacity in a constrained region, and the temporal/spatial matching of renewable energy generation, while also failing to align with the Heavy Industry (HI) zoning objective.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the data center would meet the requirements of the 2022 Government Statement on Data Centres, particularly regarding its economic contribution and the need for temporal and spatial matching of renewable energy in a constrained region.
- The proposal is inconsistent with the Climate Action Plan 2023, which requires large energy users to play a critical role in decarbonization by matching energy consumption with renewable generation on an hourly basis.
- The use is considered inappropriate for the site's 'HI' (Heavy Industry) zoning as data centers do not constitute heavy industry, and the Inspector argues the site should be reserved for industrial processes that might cause land-use conflicts elsewhere.
Cited Policies (CDP)
HI Zoning ObjectiveObjective Z04Objective ED28Objective EN22Objective WQ05Table 12.8
Decision Document Summary
This report concerns a 10-year permission for two data hall buildings (75,775 sqm GFA) on a 13.3 ha site adjacent to Huntstown Power Station, North Road, Finglas. While the Planning Authority granted permission, the Inspector recommends refusal due to a significant shift in the national policy framework during the appeal process. The site is located in a constrained grid region, and the Inspector highlights that the applicant has not provided enough detail to satisfy the 'additionality' principl...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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