Galway Bay fm newsroom – The oral hearing on Apple’s planned 850 million euro data centre near Athenry has today heard calls to conserve the woodland at Derrydonnell.
The hearing at the Connacht Hotel has been running since Tuesday, and this evening, the tech giant’s site selection process and the location of the facility have been discussed in detail.
Today’s proceedings opened with a statement by Apple’s head of site selection, Oscar Gonzales, who told the hearing that the Derrydonnell site is uniquely attractive and will allow for significant future investment by the company.
This afternoon, An Bord Pleanala inspector Stephen Kay has been taking statements from groups and individuals whose views on the planned development vary widely.
Concerns have been raised about a number of issues relating to the choice of location for the major facility – which will be the first of eight data centres to be located at the site in Palmerstown, Derrydonnell and Tobberroe as part of Apple’s 15 year masterplan.
Chief among the concerns is the loss of amenity space and woodland at Derrydonnell.
However, Apple says recreational walking trails, a car park and information signage for the public are included in its plans for the site, and any lost forestry will be replaced by Coillte at woodlands in Counties Roscommon and Wicklow.
During an address to the hearing this afternoon, an elderly man who lives in the locality said there was shock when Apple’s plans for the area were announced He says there has been huge increase in birds and wildlife in the woods in recent years, and the number of locals using the amenity has also increased significantly.
The resident asked An Bord Pleanala to recognise the need to conserve woodland areas, and reject Apple’s application.
Another observer requested that if permission is granted, the woodland should be handed over to Apple on a needs basis, so that it isn’t fenced off to the public from day one.
Earlier today, two teenage boys outlined their concern over the loss of woodland in what they describe as a ‘beautiful rural area.’ The teens say that they’d like to stay in the area and raise families there, but Apple’s plans are forcing them to reconsider their futures.
Meanwhile, Galway Chamber has delivered a strong statement in favour of Apple’s planned data centre.
The Chamber’s Maurice O’Gorman says if An Bord Pleanala refuses to grant permission for the project, it’ll send out the message that Galway is not open for business.
The organisation says it wants to reverse mass emigration, and provide opportunities for all those who wish to live and work in the west.
However, another appellant told the hearing that Ireland has an ‘unhealthy infatuation’ with Foreign Direct Investment.
Following a series of appellant and observer statements, the parties involved began their cross-questioning of Apple in relation to the site selection process.
The hearing is now finishing up for the day, and will resume at 10am tomorrow.
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