South Dublin County Council grants permission for data centre at Castlebaggot, Kilmactalway, Co. Dublin

In context

It is one of 3 data centre applications South Dublin County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 3 nationally. Of the 14 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 86% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 10 April 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the South Dublin County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

The development of a Regional Network Gateway (RNG) facility (supporting infrastructure for the MS data centres) comprising the following: • Construction of a single storey main building (RNG Building - c.1,124.3 sq.m) with air handling units (AHUs). • External plant/equipment yards including 3 no. diesel generators; sprinkler tank and pump house; electrical plant rooms, PV panels. • MV substation & Stormwater attenuation pond. • 12 no. car parking spaces (2 of which are EV parking spaces and with 1 accessible parking space). Bike parking shelter and bin store. • New road access provided from adjoining permitted estate road (granted under SDCC Ref. SD24A/0107W) and including bridge over existing watercourse. • Internal road and footpath layout, perimeter fencing, security gates and retaining wall. • Landscaped and planted areas including riparian corridor and swale. • Temporary Construction compound and parking area (including temporary bridging of existing watercourse/field drain). • All associated site development works, site lighting, boundary treatments, services/utilities provision (including underground works), and all other ancillary works. Total gross floor area of the development c.1,384.2 sq.m