Microsoft get go-ahead for €880 million expansion in Grange Castle Business Park

By Laura Lyne

MICROSOFT has received permission to develop an €880 million expansion of four data centres located alongside its current site in the Grange Castle Business Park.

The planning permission was granted on May 6, and will see the development of the four data centres on over 70 acres of land.

Included within the planning application are 160 additional permanent parking spaces, 20 bicycle parking spaces, the demolition of an existing vacant house and outbuildings and the diversion of Baldonnel stream.

Provision for 1,750 temporary car parking spaces for construction workers on the adjoining Takeda and South Dublin County Council sites are also included within the permitted development.

The application for the development was met with support from Fine Gael councillor William Lavelle, with an objection to the application submitted by the residents of Lock Cottage which is located at the Grange along the Grand Canal.

A number of concerns were raised, including the amount of heat the data centres would generate, with a recommendation that the waste heat was re-used and that Microsoft pay for heat pollution.