SD22A/0156
10 year permission on a site is bounded to the east and south by Grange Castle Golf Club, to the north by Nangor Road (R134) and to the west by an estate road known as Falcon Avenue) for modifications to the permitted data centre granted under SDCC Reg. Ref. SD21A/0186 comprising the following, reconfiguration and alterations to the data centre building to include removal of front of house offices at third floor level, alterations to floor levels at second floor to provide consistency between front of house and data halls, parapet height increase of front of house to c.16.8m, provision of storage at second floor level in lieu of relocated internal generators to the external generator yard and associated elevational alterations; extension of loading dock at ground floor level by c.6osqm in area with minor height increase to c.5.3m; removal of 3 air plenums to the front (north) elevation and provision of screening to generator flues in lieu of omitted plenums; alterations at roof level to include removal of 2m high gantry screening; alterations to the permitted generator plant yard to the north of the data centre to include the removal of fuel tanks, reconfiguration of plant and generators, provision of 2 additional external generators (increase from 5 to 9 external generators), provision of 4 additional external plant rooms, provision of diesel pump tank cabinets and stepover, relocation of generator yard doors and enlarged generator yard to accommodate the proposed modifications; increase in plant areas by c.77sq.m; reconfiguration of plant within the permitted chiller plant yard to the south of the data centre; removal of 1 sprinkler/water tank and removal of stairs and door to the side of the waste compound; reconfiguration of car parking and motorcycle spaces and removal of 1 accessible space. 64 total number of car parking spaces; the proposal also includes provision of on-site gas power generation compound ( c.2,604sq.m in area) in the area previously reserved for a future data centre; the compound comprises 7 modular plant rooms (totalling c.180sq.m in area), 10 gas fired generators and associated flues c.14.7m high, gas skid, associated modular plant, boundary treatment surrounding the compound c.6.5m high and 2 vehicular access points including general and emergency access; all associated site development works, services provision, drainage works, access, landscaping and boundary treatment works; no buildings are proposed above the existing ESB and SDCC wayleaves to the west and north of the site; the overall Gross Floor Area of the development is reduced by c.44sq.m to c.9,795sq.m from previously permitted under SDCC Reg. Ref. SD21A/0186; the application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement.
Core Refusal Reason
South Dublin County Council originally refused permission due to insufficient capacity in the electricity grid, the lack of a fixed connection agreement, a lack of significant on-site renewable energy, and the reliance on a gas-powered plant to provide energy, which was deemed contrary to Policy EDE7 and Section 12.9.4 of the County Development Plan.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The Inspector concluded that the temporary use of a gas-powered on-site power generation compound (OSPG) is reasonable to facilitate a previously permitted data centre while awaiting a grid connection, provided its operation is limited to 8 years.
- The proposal is considered compliant with the 'Enterprise and Employment' (EE) zoning objective and national policy regarding data centres, subject to a condition requiring a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to offset energy use with new renewable generation.
- Following a Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment and an Environmental Impact Assessment, the Inspector found that the development would not have unacceptable impacts on the environment, human health, or the integrity of Natura 2000 sites, given the proposed mitigation measures.