The residents of Kilmeaden are planning a demonstration next weekend against a major data centre development planned for the village.
The Munster Express previously highlighted last September that Waterford Council received a planning application seeking to develop the former cheese factory and adjoining lands into a mixed-use village centre, technology park and renewable energy development on a site around 108.79 hectares within the townlands of Blacknock and Adamstown, Kilmeaden.
The development includes plans for an information and communication technology facility buildings and energy centre building, a solar farm and battery storage system, along with apartments, community centre, medical centre, supermarket, childcare facility, multi-use games area, offices and commercial buildings, warehouse and a district heating plant room. (Council ref: 2560625).
It was described as the second biggest planning application ever received by the local authority – with the first largest planning application being the North Quays development in Waterford City.
Waterford Council requested further information from the applicant, Crag Rathnew DC Limited and Kent Homes Limited, last October.
The applicant provided the further information to the council on 20 March, last, which means a decision on the application could be imminent.
There has been major opposition to the plans from local residents in the village and adjoining areas, with public meetings being held since the planning application was lodged with the local authority.
An ad hoc committee formed by residents has been operating ever since, with people being kept updated via a dedicated social media account ‘Kilmeaden Says No’ and a WhatsApp group.
The site in question has been vacant and unused since the cheese factory was closed and production of Kilmeaden Cheese was transferred by Glanbia management to Ballyragget in North Kilkenny in 2006.
RTÉ Investigates also sent a film crew to Kilmeaden last Friday to record footage and conduct interviews with local people regarding the proposed planning development.
Protest walk
The protest walk is planned for Saturday, 11 April at 1.00 pm, meeting at the car park at The Sweep Pub, Kilmeaden.
Amanda Power, who is involved with the ad hoc residents committee said they are looking for people to come out and support the demonstration.
Ms. Power asked that people attending the demonstration not to park in the car park at The Sweep pub, as the car park is for patrons of pub only.
The demonstration is only meeting at the pub car park and it will then make its way down the village to the small green area across the road from the Centra.
Residents concerned
Donna Kearns, another member of the concerned residents group, previously told this newspaper that the residents of Kilmeaden feel overlooked.
“We haven’t had a say or there was no pre-application consultation with us, the residents of Kilmeaden and surrounding areas,” she said.
“We feel blind-sided and are aggrieved that strangers feel they have the power to just put in a huge industrial park in the middle of our beautiful village and home, without so much as a conversation with the very people it will have the most impact on,” Ms. Kearns added.
Jacky Coughlan, a local resident, also previously told this newspaper: “The residents have huge concerns about many aspects of this plan, including environmental and wildlife issues, the amount of water needed for these data centres, and the traffic which will run 24/7 during the construction period”.
Local area councillor John O’Leary said there was “clear and unequivocal opposition by the people” to the proposed planning application and said if granted permission, “it will undoubtedly overwhelm the character of Kilmeaden and its hinterland”.
Paul Mooney
