An Bord Pleanala has granted Apple permission to build an €850m data centre in County Galway this morning. 

The development – which incorporates the data centre, an administration building and associated works – will cater for the company's Apple Music, App Store, Maps, Messages and Siri customer in Europe, the Irish Independent reports.

The plans for the 24,500 square metre site near Athenry had been approved by Galway County Council last September, but were then met with numerous appeals.

Concerns were raised over flooding, energy usage, the impact on the environment and climate, and wildlife issues.

Permission was granted partially due to the "projected demand" for data storage in the future, as well as the "economic and operational rationale for the clustering of data storage capacity on one site."

The construction process should employ 300, with 150 jobs created thereafter.

Ireland beat competition from 18 other countries to secure the project. Apple has said that by 2031, eight buildings of almost 25,000 sq ms each could be developed to cater for "rapid expansion" in wireless communications, networking and entertainment.