Westmeath Council Approval of €1 Billion Data Centre and Solar Project Appealed

Westmeath County Council's decision to approve a major data centre and solar project near Rochfortbridge has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

About 40 local farmers and residents have lodged appeals against the local authority's decision to grant planning permission for the development, which is estimated to cost about $1.14 billion (approximately €1 billion). The proposed development is planned on productive tillage land and would cover roughly 600 acres.

The project design combines six data centre buildings with a 180-megawatt solar farm, battery storage, fuel cells, and a connection to the national electricity grid.

Those appealing the planning approval argue that the scheme would remove prime tillage land from agricultural use. Opponents have also raised concerns regarding potential risks to water wells, flooding hazards, and the proximity of the development to nearby rural homes.

Under current Irish regulatory policies, operators of new data centres can be required to provide their own power sources or secure the majority of their electricity from renewable generation, such as wind or solar power, rather than relying solely on the national grid. The final determination on whether the project can proceed now lies with An Coimisiún Pleanála.