Further information has been sought by Clare County Council into plans for a €1.2bn data centre in Ennis while local activists have said engaged discussions are needed into the future role of these facilities.

Dublin-based Art Data Centres Ltd have been asked to provide further information into their plans for six two-storey data centre buildings up to 19m in height, as well as a two-storey vertical farm at Tooreen in Ennis.

Additional information on the development relating to potential project splitting; drainage, water supply and flood risk; expansion of the water main and culvert; biodiversity; residential and commercial amenity; movement and access; consideration of alternatives; major accidents and other items has been sought.

A six month window has been given to the developers to respond to the items raised by the planning authority before a decision will be made on whether the Data Centre proceeds or not. Developers of the data centre campus have said it will create 250 data centre jobs, 1,200 construction jobs and 600 induced jobs in support services if granted planning permission.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council, environment and conservation representative, Emma Karran detailed that the discussion on Data Centres was “so relevant given our need nationally to cut carbon emissions”. She said, “We need to have a strategy in place, Clare County Council seems to be the only place where this isn’t discussed, the need to examine our energy usage, every outlet is talking about it but the County Council isn’t, there is a huge need for data and the need to reduce it but can we have a more open discussion,” the Doonbeg resident asked.

Director of Service with Clare County Council, Liam Conneally in response stated that the planning application for the data centre was going through the planning process, “we will leave that process proceed”.

Social inclusion representative, Elaine D’Alton commented, “the data centres are not the trendsetters they were ten years ago. When are Clare County Council going to have a conversation on data centres. Is there an intention to broaden out this conversation and take on board what has been said at a national level,” the co-ordinator of the Clare Women’s Network said.

Conneally told the meeting he would not be speaking about individual projects, “the planning process is the place to deal with them”. On the broader issue of data centres, he believed they would be required and suggested renewable sources could be used to help power them. “Data will need to be stored into the future and there will be a requirement for data centres wherever they will be”.

Related News

lissycasey
'It's RIP for West Clare' - intervention of Oireachtas members sought to overturn planning directive
tractor run newmarket on fergus 12-09-21 6
Tractor run to raise funds for Down Syndrome Clare
cathal crowe
Crowe leaves Clare JPC meeting following clash with Chief Superintendent
garrihy's aran view
Family of Liverpool legend sing praises of Doolin store
Latest News
save our rivers protest 09-09-23 2
'This is just the start' - Save Our Rivers campaign commit to hold further rallies on North Clare water quality
donie garrihy smile 1
Donie Garrihy returns as Clare Oscar Traynor manager
golf balls 1
Lady captain's prize in Dromoland for Mairead Twomey
Skoda
Al Hayes Motors feel right at home with people of Clare
lissycasey
'It's RIP for West Clare' - intervention of Oireachtas members sought to overturn planning directive
Premium
cathal crowe
Crowe leaves Clare JPC meeting following clash with Chief Superintendent
bridge utd v kilrush rangers 20-08-22 jordan downes
Kilrush Rangers confident of causing some surprises in top flight
clare v tipperary 04-07-21 12 james moran ken ralph brian lohan
Brian Lohan to have new-look Clare management for fifth season in charge
steven jordan
Avenue make it two from two & winning starts for Shannon Town, Newmarket Celtic & Lifford
clare minors homecoming 04-06-23 brian o'connell 1
BOC, Neylon & Coughlan reappointed, Clare to oppose Munster hurling final proposal & clubs reject knockout format for U21s

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top
Enable Notifications for the latest news and updates OK No thanks