The zoned land at Jigginstown was specifically zoned for data centre development
A protest is planned this afternoon (28 September) demanding a review into land which had been previously rezoned for data centre construction in Naas.
It comes as Kildare Councillors will be voting on the motion that the council considers commencing the statutory process to vary the Naas Local Area Plan, with a view to reviewing the existing “P Data Centre” zoning designation on lands at Jigginstown/ Maudlins, Naas.
The zoned land, located at Jigginstown, was specifically zoned for data centre development under the Naas Local Area Plan 2021-2027.
The protest will take place on the Newbridge road near Áras Chill Dara at 1:30pm.
The protest will be staged by Kildare Data Centre Awareness Campaign (KDCAC), joined by nearby residents.
Speaking on Kildare Today, Primrose Garden resident, Nicoló Wojewoda said the majority of the community are "very concerned".
"I've just learned about this potential development a few weeks ago, and since then I've been going door-to-door connecting with neighbours, and the vast majority of people I've spoken with across the whole of Naas are very concerned.
"This could have huge impacts on our energy grid, our water resources and the residents that I've spoken to have a variety of concerns, from my own point of view, I'm really worried about Ireland's ability to move away from fossil fuels and address the climate crisis.
"If we keep building data centres without consideration for their energy use and consideration for natural resources, I'd be concerned for not just people near these data centres, but everywhere in Ireland."
Nicoló also explained what he wants to see from Kildare Councillors ahead of today's protest.
"What we're asking county councillors today is to take another look at the zoning decision made in 2021, a decision made with incomplete evidence at the time.
"We know that we need more information to understand whether such a data centre is a suitable development near to residential areas in Naas."
The full interview can be heard below:
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