Galway Bay fm newsroom – An Bord Pleanala is this evening hearing closing remarks from Apple, its consultants and third parties on Apple’s planned data centre in Athenry.
The hearing on the 850 million euro facility got underway in the city on Tuesday under An Bord Pleanala inspector Stephen Kay.
Traffic, bats, badgers, plants and private water supplies are among the topics discussed in fine detail at today’s hearing.
This week has seen an in-depth examination of Apple’s application for a data centre at Derrydonnell, Palmerstown and Tobberroe, and a separate application for a 220kv electricity substation at the same site.
This morning, the hearing heard from ecological and geological experts on the possible impacts of the project in both fields.
From both perspectives, experts agree that the impact of the proposed development would be ‘negligible.’ Article 6.4 of the European Habitats directive has once again reared its head, and is likely to become a factor in An Bord Pleanala’s final decision on the data centre plans.
Meanwhile, Apple has acknowledged the potential that archaeological material, cultural heritage sites or monuments may be uncovered during the construction phase.
A number of appellants and observers claim the Apple site contains ‘lisheens,’ which are unmarked graves of children who died during the famine.
Archaeologist Declan Moore says the site for the Apple facility has been screened, and was not found to contain any recorded sites – but there are a number of monuments in the general vicinity, including a barrow complex, and fulachtai fia.
He says the presence of these monuments suggests a level of pre-historic activity in the locality, that may be indicative of potential for the discovery of new sites within the development area.
Engineer Niall Harte delivered a presentation on Apple’s comprehensive traffic and transport plan for the facility.
He told the hearing that following a series of assessments, it was determined that the data centre and associated infrastructure will have ‘no material cumulative impact’ on the local road network.
Apple has contacted local public transport providers with a view to implementing new services to the Apple data centre.
It also says it is hoping to provide a pedestrian and cyclist link between the data centre and Athenry town in the form of a new shared pathway, as well as a shuttle service link to Athenry Train Station.
Meanwhile, the loss of woodland amenity in the Derrydonnell area remains a major concern for local residents.
Galway West TD Noel Grealish addressed the hearing this afternoon – he says the facility will bring a welcome boost to employment in the immediate area, and the Galway region in general.
Deputy Grealish says if Apple gets the go-ahead, it won’t go unnoticed by other big international players, and families will no longer have to look to Australia, Canada and the USA.
During closing statements this evening, Galway County Council says it feels An Bord Planala should let the development go ahead on 3 conditions.
These include the reservation of the proposed woodland walkway for unrestricted use by members of the public, an assurance that pylons will not impose flight restrictions on the area, and that noise levels be kept under control according to ISO regulations.
An Bord Pleanala will now focus on the task of deciding whether Apple should be permitted to construct the data centre and substation.