Galway Bay fm newsroom – An Bord Pleanala has begun its final deliberations on the proposed 850 million euro Apple data centre in Athenry.
An oral hearing on the major development took place in the city in May.
The inspector Stephen Kay has now submitted his recommendations to the board for consideration.
The 24,500sqm facility planned for Athenry would cater for the company’s Apple Music, App Store, Messages, Maps and Siri customers in Europe.
The proposed development would involve a single-storey data centre, logistic and administration building and security unit at Palmerstown, Tobberroe and Derrydonnell.
Planning permission was granted for the centre in September last year, however, that decision was appealed by various sources including residents of Lisheenkyle and Athenry Golf Club.
Objections to the project range from traffic congestion and the location of the site entrance, to concerns over the potential impact on local wildlife.
All of these concerns were discussed in detail during a five day oral hearing in May.
Inspector Stephen Kay has now submitted his final report to the board for consideration.
The report, which will not be published until the board announces its decision, contains a series of recommendations on whether the data centre should be granted permission, and if any alterations to the proposed development are needed.
An Bord Pleanala says a final decision is likely by the end of the month.