Microsoft apply to relocate their Central Administration Building
MICROSOFT has lodged a large planning application that primarily focuses on relocating, reconfiguring and reducing aspects of their previously approved development which includes two data centres, administration building and cafeteria at Grange Castle Business Park.
Microsoft Operations Ireland Ltd, which has a 16.24Ha campus in Clondalkin, is applying for permission to relocate an approved Central Administrations Building (CAB) by around 7m to the east.
A reconfiguring of the CAB floor plans at all levels which would result in the increase of the building footprint by around 170sq.m to bring it up to 1,594sq.m in total is sought.
Two data centres were also previously approved and this new application is seeking to reduce the overall footprint of each building by 48sq.m to 13,442sq.m with an internal reconfiguration.
Changes also include the increase in parapet height of vent houses by around 350mm and omission of previously proposed zone of sedum roof finish.
All plant equipment at ground level is to be reduced in height compared to approved layout so that screening is deemed not required.
The first data centre, named DUB14, will see the reduction in height of approved flues by around 650mm as well as the total number of flues from 11 to eight as proposed.
The second data centre, named DUB15, if approved, will be increased in height by around 700mm.
An approved single-storey cafeteria element is proposed to accommodate the plant at additional basement level below the cafeteria itself with 18 roof lights varying between 1.8m and 2.8m in diameter.
A MEP Plant on roof level including a new flue extending to around 1m above parapet is also included for the cafeteria element.
Meanwhile, the approved four-storey office building should see the raising of the parapet at roof level by 1.1m in height to 20.6m overall.
An external associated plant at ground level which houses generators will be reconfigured with approved Modular Electrical Rooms omitted as well as the screening serving the data centres.
The applicant is seeking to relocate and modify the design to expand the approved Water Treatment Building to include four water treatment tanks, two sprinkler tanks, relocated pump house, a transformer and a generator with additional flue stack reaching to 30.75m.
Relocating and reconfiguring the gas generator compound to raise the number of generators by four to 24, omission of five “E-houses”, seven electrical rooms and bringing the overall number of flues to 12, from the five previously approved.
Modifications to the internal site roads, yards and footpaths are also included in the application along with the relocation of pump houses and sprinkler tanks servicing the data centres.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Report has been submitted with the application.
South Dublin County Council has given consent to Microsoft Operations Ireland Ltd to lodge a planning application at the lands and is conditional on no development taking place until full planning permission has been granted.
The Council will make a decision on the planning application on September 13, 2021 – with the closing date for third part submissions falling on August 23.
