Sinn Féin Councillor Catherine Burke, TD for Waterford Conor D. McGuinness and Deputy David Cullinane have welcomed the decision by Waterford City and County Council to refuse planning permission for the proposed data centre and associated energy infrastructure at Kilmeaden.

The decision follows strong opposition from the local community to a development of exceptional scale, which would have brought major data-centre facilities and substantial energy infrastructure, including gas-fired generation, to the area.

Deputy McGuinness said:

“This is very welcome news for Kilmeaden and for the many residents who worked tirelessly to make their concerns heard. I want to commend everyone who made submissions, attended protests and stood together to oppose this proposal. The strength of feeling in the community was clear, and residents deserve great credit for the work they put into this campaign.

“From the outset, we raised serious concerns about the scale of this development, its enormous electricity demand and the implications of the associated energy infrastructure for the local community, the environment and our wider electricity system. This was not a minor development: it would have had an average electricity demand of approximately 203 megawatts. I have consistently argued that developments of this scale must be properly assessed in the context of their full environmental and infrastructure impacts. We will continue to stand resolutely with the Kilmeaden community and ensure their concerns are taken seriously.”

Councillor Catherine Burke said:

“The strength of feeling in the community was clear throughout this process. Residents were deeply concerned about the impact this development would have on Kilmeaden, and they deserve credit for coming together and making their voices heard.

“This decision will be welcomed by those who fought to protect their community. I will continue to support residents and ensure their concerns remain central to any future decisions affecting the area.”

Deputy David Cullinane said:

“This decision underlines the importance of proper planning and scrutiny when developments of this scale are proposed. Ireland needs a coherent approach to data centres that takes account of electricity demand, grid capacity, climate obligations and the impact on local communities.

“Economic development cannot be considered in isolation from those wider responsibilities. The public interest must remain central to decisions of this nature.”