It has been revealed that two more data centres are being planned for the IDA Business Park on the Donore Road.
Amazon are presently developing a major centre at the location.
As part of that, Meath County Council heard a presentation on Monday in relation to an application for a 110kv gas insulated electricity substation beside the Amazon plant.
It is seen as a vital part of infrastructure to ensure continuity of supply to the centre.
The substation will be two storeys high and feature masts and transformers.
The submission states that the new plant will be vitally important for future development on the site, the master plan indicating two further centres in the future.
The decision on the substation will be made by An Bord Pleanala.
Speaking on the matter, Cllr Elaine McGinty said the people of Drogheda would be surprised to learn that two further data centres were being planned on the site.
She said that the one other business in the park, State Street, were moving to a different location.
She said that the centres will bring in major rates for Meath CC and it was important that money was ringfenced for south Drogheda for community development.
Cllr Paddy Meade said that the original plan for the park included a hotel and coffee shop, but the jobs never materialised.
‘There will be local disappointment that not many jobs are going to be created in the business park and there certainly won’t be a hotel.’
He said traffic would have to be monitored as a result.
The park was in the vicinity of Donore and it has not benefitted as a result of it.
Cllr Tom Behan welcomed the developments at the business park and they will bring jobs to the area.
Cllr Sharon Tolan said the substation would attract further developments and she said the benefits will be felt for many years to come. Cllr Wayne Harding feels it can only benefit the M1 corridor.
Source: www.independent.ie
