Westmeath €1bn Data Centre and Solar Farm Plans Stalled by Appeals
Wednesday 8 July 2026
Westmeath County Council's decision to grant planning permission for a €1 billion data centre campus and solar farm has been appealed by 10 third-party appellants.
An Coimisiún Pleanála has received 10 separate third-party appeals against a decision by Westmeath County Council to grant planning permission for a €1 billion data centre campus and solar farm.
The proposed development, planned for a 600-acre site across Rochfortbridge, County Westmeath, is being promoted by Red Admiral DC Ltd. The company is owned by Offaly businessman Nigel Reams and is part of his Lumcloon Energy Group. The plans comprise a six-unit data centre and a decentralised energy resource.
Westmeath County Council previously granted planning permission for the project despite local opposition, which included 55 submissions on the original application.
The 10 third-party appeals have been lodged by David Mahon, Eamon Duigenan, Frank Kelly & Others, Mary Joe Kelly, John Conway and Louth Environmental Group, Stefania Oggioni, Martin Knox, Gerard Carey, William Carey, and Damien Gavin.
One appellant, local farmer William Carey, has lodged an appeal on behalf of his family and has requested that An Coimisiún Pleanála hold an oral hearing regarding the application.