Data centre opposed by author Sally Rooney has planning overturned on climate concerns
Planning permission for a data centre in Killala, Co Mayo, Ireland, has been overturned due to its failure to comply with national climate policy, following objections from author Sally Rooney and others. The commission ruled that the applicant, Mayo Data Hub Ltd (part of Avaio Digital), did not demonstrate sufficient local electricity supply or on-site renewable energy to serve the facility.
Why it matters
This decision highlights the increasing scrutiny of large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly data centers, regarding their environmental impact and energy consumption in the context of climate change goals. It sets a precedent for how climate policy can influence planning decisions and underscores the growing public and regulatory pressure for sustainable development.
A data centre objected to by author Sally Rooney has had its planning permission overturned on grounds it breaches national climate policy.
The facility was to be built in Killala, Co Mayo by Mayo Data Hub Ltd, part of US firm Avaio Digital.
It received planning permission from Mayo County Council last year despite numerous objections, including one from Rooney, the Normal People author and Mayo resident.
Rooney argued it would be a wasteful use of electricity that would require burning of fossil fuels to generate, and that it was not an acceptable development in a climate crisis.
Another objector subsequently lodged an appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála which ruled this week that the applicants had failed to show there was sufficient electricity locally to serve the centre and they had no on-site renewable energy to compensate.
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