Apple plan for €850m complex facing delay of six months

Apple’s plans for a hi-tech €850 million complex in Co Galway are facing a six month delay – at least.

Two appeals to the grant of planning permission for the massive project have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála.

The planning appeals board says it will now make a decision by next February – it had been hoped that construction work on the project could get under way before the end of the year.

Galway County Council granted permission earlier this month to Apple Distribution International for the development consisting of a 24,505sq m data centre, a 5,232sq m logistics and administration building, security hut and car parking at the green field site in Palmerstown, Toberroe and Derrydonnell just off the old Galway-Athenry road..

Twelve conditions

Planners granted permission, subject to 12 conditions, including a requirement for an archaeological assessment of the site and the payment of a development contribution of more than €250,000.

But the two local objections have now formally been made in the names of Noel and Patricia Heneghan Kelly and Mary Lindsay. They involve concerns around the proposed entrance to the complex, the extent of working hours during the construction phase and the impact of the development on a private well as well as on local wildlife.

An Bord Pleanala has indicated that a decision will be made in the case by February 3 next year, but it is also possible that the appeals could involve an oral hearing, which may delay the project even further.