To omit Proposed Amendments 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 as follows:
- To omit Proposed Amendment 13.1 and Amend Table 13.4 Zoning Objective ‘REGEN’ so that ‘Data Centre’ is moved from being ‘Not Permitted’ to being ‘Open for Consideration’
- To omit Proposed Amendment 13.2 and Amend Table 13.9 Zoning Objective ‘MRC’ so that ‘Data Centre’ is moved from being ‘Not Permitted’ to being ‘Open for Consideration’.
- To omit Proposed Amendment 13.3 and Amend Table 13.10 Zoning Objective ‘EE’ so that ‘Data Centre’ is moved from being ‘Not Permitted’ to being ‘Open for Consideration’.
We would refer the Council to the fact that it is not current policy either of EirGrid or the Government to restrict data centre development in any form and the Proposed Amendments are in direct conflict with both the NPF and RSES. However, as we have demonstrated under this submission, there are a range of criteria under which EirGrid will consider in providing power and connections to data centres that will each be considered on their individual merit. There is clearly an intrinsic link between power and data centre development and this is recognised in current policy set out by the CRU and EirGrid. This is reflected in Policy EDE7 Objective 2 of the Draft Plan that is also amended under the Material Alterations.
We respectfully submit, for reasons that are set out under this submission, that there is no basis for making data centres ‘not permitted’ uses under the Material Alterations of the Draft Plan. On that basis we would request that South Dublin County Council omit its Proposed Amendments 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 under the Material Alterations as outlined above.