TECH GIANTS Apple has pulled out of plans to build a €850 million data centre in Athenry, Co. Galway.
In a statement, the company announced that it was no longer going to proceed with its plans and said that delays in the planning approval process were the reason for the change.
The reason for the delays was that a number of local residents raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of the project – and accused An Bord Pleanala of not carrying out a proper assessment.
Apple’s original plans to build a state-of-the-art centre on a 500-acre site just outside the town of Athenry was first announced more than three years ago, was given permission by the High Court to begin works last November.
Construction of the first phase of eight promised to generate 300 temporary jobs, with up to 150 permanent staff required to run it.
However, objectors decided to take their case to the Supreme Court in December, and the ensuing delays have led to Apple turning their back on the development.
In a statement released to RTE News this morning, Apple said: “We’ve been operating in Ireland since 1980 and we’re proud of the many contributions we make to the economy and job creation.
“In the last two years, we’ve spent over €550 million with local companies and, all told, our investment and innovation supports more than 25,000 jobs up and down the country.
“We’re deeply committed to our employees and customers in Ireland and are expanding our operations in Cork, with a new facility for our talented team there.”
The company will go ahead with their plans to build a data centre in Aabenraa, Denmark, which is still in the planning phase.
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