Waterford residents ‘deeply concerned’ by plans for major data centre in village

The people of Kilmeaden have raised widespread concerns over plans to construct a major technology park in the village.

Last month, Crag Rathnew DC Limited and Kent Homes Limited submitted a planning application for the construction of a multi-billion-euro data centre on the site of the former cheese factory in Kilmeaden.

The campus would span more than one square kilometre, making it the largest development in the history of the small village.

Waterford City and County Council have received over 300 submissions regarding the proposed development - the vast majority of which are objections.

Environmental impact, traffic congestion and visual impact were among the main concerns.

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The Kilmeaden Community Network (KCN) is a voluntary, non-political group of residents that has been active in the Kilmeaden community for over two years.

It stated that the proposed data centre “represents development on an industrial scale, far beyond what could be considered appropriate to Kilmeaden”.

“The proposed development will transform a rural village into an industrial park, dominating Kilmeaden and fundamentally altering its character,” it added.

Fianna Fáil councillor John O’Leary, who lives in the area, described the development as “wholly inappropriate”.

He went on to say that the project would “permanently and negatively alter Kilmeaden’s character”.

These sentiments were echoed by his party colleague, Cllr Adam Wyse, who said that “many people have chosen to live in Kilmeaden because of its undisturbed, rural village feel”.

“The proposed development would overshadow homes, change views, introduce industrial type noise, light, traffic etc., permanently altering lives for local residents,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Fán Glas Residents’ Committee, which represents homeowners in the Fán Glas Estate, located directly opposite the proposed site, said it was “deeply concerned”.

The committee believes the project “would irreversibly damage the environment, character and livability of Kilmeaden”.

The Blacknock/Kilmeaden Residents’ Association also expressed its opposition to the development and highlighted the lack of public consultation that has taken place thus far.

The association stated: “This project has been advanced with no meaningful community consultation prior to submission.

“Residents of Kilmeaden were not contacted, no public information sessions were held, and no opportunity was given to shape the proposal before it was finalised.

“For a project of this unprecedented scale and industrial nature, the absence of community engagement is unacceptable and further undermines the legitimacy of the application,” it concluded.

The deadline for submissions on the technology park passed on October 12 and Waterford City and County Council had been expected to make a decision by November 2.

However, the planning application is now listed as ‘on hold’ on the council website, as the local authority seeks further information on the proposed development.