“In the context of the existential climate and environmental crisis and given the massive energy and water consumption that these facilities consume, this Committee calls on the Chief Executive to halt the further proliferation of data centres across the County.”

The motion, in the name of Councillor H. Redwood was proposed by Councillor H. Redwood and seconded by Councillor B. McDonagh.

Report:

As stated in Appendix 7 to the Fingal County Development Plan 2023-2029, a data centre is a physical facility composed of networked computers and storage that businesses and other organisations use to organise, process, store and disseminate large amounts of data.

In accordance with Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the consideration of applications for planning permission for the construction of new data centres must have regard to a number of considerations including policies of the government or any minister that relate to proper planning and sustainable development, as well as to the provisions of the relevant Development Plan for the area.

With regard to government policy, in 2018, the government published its Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy, which was subsequently updated in 2022 (see https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/publication-files/government-statement-on-the-role-of-data-centres-in-irelands-enterprise-strategy.pdf).

The 2022 government policy statement states that data centres are core digital infrastructure and play an indispensable role in Ireland’s economy and society.

This policy statement signals the government’s clear preference for data centre developments that are associated with strong economic activity and employment; make efficient use of the electricity grid, deliver renewable energy in Ireland.

It also underlines government commitment to ensuring the principles set out in the policy statement are “effective in prioritising future data centre development that delivers strong economic benefits, sustainable energy plans, and a willingness to promote Ireland’s national decarbonisation objectives through a fully supportive planning system and other regulatory regimes”.

With regard to Development Plan policy as set out in the Fingal County Development Plan 2023-2029, it should be noted that Data Centres are not permitted in the majority of land use classes and are only open for consideration in the ‘GE – General Employment’, HI – Heavy Industry’ and ‘HT – High Technology’ land use classes.

When being considered under these land use zoning categories, data centres are considered to be ‘Space Extensive Developments’. As stated in Section 4.15.3 of the Development Plan:

Space extensive developments such as large warehousing units and data centres in most instances generate low intensity employment. The Council will support these facilities at appropriate locations on a case-by case basis. These facilities should not be located on lands that are more suitable for employment intensive developments/facilities, which are close to public transport infrastructure and built-up areas where compact growth is encouraged.

Following on from the above explanatory text, the Development Plan sets out Objective DMSO92 – Space Extensive Developments as follows:

Proposals for space extensive developments such as data centres are required to address the following:

·         Energy efficiency measures for the development to reduce the carbon footprint in support of national targets towards a net zero carbon economy, including renewable energy generation.

·         The extent of energy demand and proximity to multiple high voltage strategic grid connections with significant electricity supply capacity available, including areas with high concentration of renewable energy electricity generators.

·         The availability of appropriate infrastructure such as high voltage electricity, fibre optic cables, water and wastewater etc. to support the use as a data centre.

·         Measures to support the just transition to a circular economy.

·         Measures to facilitate district heating or heat networks where excess heat is produced.

·         High-quality design approach to buildings which reduces the massing and visual impact of same. A visual impact assessment may be required in some circumstances, depending on the specific site.

·         Details of employment numbers once operational.

·         Details of the levels of traffic to and from the site at construction and operation stage.

·         Evidence of sign up to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact.

·         A decommissioning report which sets out the development strategy for the site if and when the data centre is no longer in use, in order to bring the site back to a future developable state.

·         The principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development as per the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy (July 2022).

Having regard to the above, and with reference to government policy as outlined previously, it is not considered appropriate or practicable to implement a halt on a specific category of private development which is provided for by government policy and by planning and development legislation.

However, in its function as planning authority, Fingal County Council will continue to ensure that all new applications for data centres are assessed in accordance with all relevant government policy and Development Plan Guidelines.

The report was given by Patricia Cadogan, Senior Planner, Planning & Strategic Infrastructure and a discussion followed with the Members.

The Motion was AGREED.