Derelict Limerick warehouse to be redeveloped into apartments

 A derelict warehouse in Limerick City is set to be redeveloped into 20 apartments after An Bord Pleanála approved a planning application. Real Capital GP had been granted permission for the proposal by Limerick City and County Council. The works involve the demolition of a warehouse on a site roughly 1km east of Limerick City, on St Anne's Road. Some 20 apartments, 10 one-bed and 10 two-bed units, are proposed for the four-storey building. Several third-party appeals were lodged against this decision, though, with appellants raising concerns about the new development feeling out of place with the existing architecture in the area.

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Mayor calls for regulations over planning objections

THE mayor of Limerick city has called for new regulations concerning objections that are lodged with An Bord Pleanála to developments approved by a local authority.

Cllr Kevin Kiely said that over the past two years, developments worth €1.2 billion had been delayed or lost in Limerick due to objections lodged with and appeals board, although they had been approved by the city council.

"This has a devastating affect on the city centre. The planners down here in Limerick know what is happening in the city with regard to planning and before they give planning permission, every application is examined over and over again, before a decision to grant permission is arrived at."

In the latest setback a plan to develop a €20 million structure on the site of Limerick Boat Club was overturned by An Bord Pleanála after a number of objections were lodged.

Up to 200 construction jobs would have been on offer had the development been given the go-ahead.

Mr Kiely said as the rules stand, a person can object to any kind of project by lodging a nominal sum of money with An Bord Pleanála.

"I think if a person is going to go to An Bord Pleanála to object to a development approved by the local county or city council, they should have to sign a bond for a substantial sum of money, say €10,000.

"If their appeal is upheld then they would not be asked to honour the bond.

"However, if the objection is turned down by An Bord Pleanála, the objector should be made liable to honour the bond entered into. We are witnessing huge projects in the city being lost when we need jobs and investment."

He said Bord Pleanála does not appear to understand what the council is trying to do to bring more quality projects and investment into the city centre.

"The city council centre turned down planning permission for a number of fast food outlets with good reason. But they were given the go ahead on appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Now these two small outlets are causing huge traffic problems where they are located."

Irish Examiner

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Anglo cancels planned Georgian demolition

State-owned Anglo Irish Bank has dropped plans to demolish several Georgian buildings at the €350m Opera Centre retail development in Limerick. Anglo owns half of the development, with the remainder owned by Jerry O'Reilly, David Courtney and Terry Sweeney.

Planning permission was granted for an initial project but Regeneration Developments, the vehicle being used for the scheme, subsequently applied for a larger scheme that would have had two retail anchor units, one of which is expected to be Marks & Spencer, and 38 other shops.

"Bigger and better" was Courtney's description of the plans, which are now before An Bord Pleanála, and which included a proposal to demolish 12 Georgian buildings.

However, further information submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the company in recent days means that most of the buildings scheduled for demolition will have at least their façades retained.

Anglo acquired its stake in the venture in 2007 and planned to syndicate it to private clients but failed to do so.

The Opera Centre will be the largest shopping centre in the midwest. It takes its name from opera singer Catherine Hayes, who was born at 4 Patrick Street, which forms part of the development. Her birthplace will be separate from the mall and will be refurbished as a museum or civic amenity.

Sunday Tribune

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Regeneration of housing estate starts

THE REGENERATION of one of the State’s oldest housing estates got under way in Limerick yesterday when workers moved in to demolish houses in the St Mary’s Park estate.

It is one of four housing estates in Limerick city included in the €3.1 billion regeneration project which, since 2007, has led to the demolition of 250 homes in Moyross, Southill and Weston areas.

The demolition of 1 Columcille Street in St Mary’s Park began at 9am yesterday. Up to 20 houses in the area could be knocked by the end of the year to facilitate the building of new houses in 2010.

Built in 1935, St Mary’s Park is one of the oldest housing estates in the State and is located in a historic part of the city close to King John’s Castle that is known as the “island field”.

The estate comprises in the region of 465 houses and was the State’s first major public housing initiative in Limerick.

The last resident at the property which was demolished yesterday was Geraldine Long, who now lives in Corbally, but was there when workers began the demolition.

“I’m a bit sad because we had lovely neighbours and it was a lovely place to live and we had happy times in the house, so it is sad to see it being knocked,” Ms Long said.

Jason Murphy of the housing department at Limerick City Council said yesterday marked an important step for the regeneration of Limerick.

“This is a milestone for St Mary’s Park in terms of regeneration, but it is a milestone for the city as well, given the community that’s here and the strong community in St Mary’s Park,” Mr Murphy said.

“It’s a big step for the residents and we are delighted we have had huge support from them. We have identified six to eight houses but by the end of the year, we may have 15 houses taken down.”

Mayor of Limerick John Gilligan has welcomed the beginning of the demolition.

It is believed that €725 million is needed for the regeneration of St Mary’s Park.

Irish Times

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Landowners seek rezoning reversal

TWO LANDOWNERS have asked the High Court to quash the Limerick county manager’s rejection of a decision by councillors to rezone for residential and other development some 130 acres of farmland near Adare village.

PJ Farrell, a farmer who lives at and owns 90 acres at Ardshanbally and Gortaganniff on the outskirts of Adare, and Barbara Forde, Oulart, Gorey, Wexford, who owns 40 acres in the same area, have brought the proceedings against Limerick County Council. They claim county manager Ned Gleeson acted outside his powers in refusing to accept the rezoning decision as valid.

The council claims the rezoning would create a detached suburb from Adare in breach of its policy to protect the historic architectural integrity of the town.

In voting for the rezoning on September 29th, councillors argued it was needed to bring in employment and facilities. The court heard Mr Gleeson had obtained legal advice the rezoning was not effective under the 2000 Planning and Development Act.

Both landowners claim the local area plan (LAP) for Adare, which does not contain the rezonings, should be set aside. Alternatively, they are seeking an injunction restraining an LAP pending the outcome of proceedings.

In submissions made to the LAP process last July, a planning consultant for Mr Farrell argued his lands would be severed from the remainder of his farm by a proposed bypass of the town and the zoning should be for mixed uses including residential. Ms Forde’s consultant sought zoning for low-density serviced residential sites.

The county manager recommended the lands remain zoned agricultural on grounds rezoning would be contrary to the Limerick County Development Plan.

Eamon Galligan SC, for the landowners, told Mr Justice Brian McGovern that the issues included whether the county manager was entitled to take the view the rezoning resolution was invalid.

The council claims councillors failed to identify the variations they wanted to make in a sufficiently precise manner to constitute an effective LAP modification. It claims councillors failed to state any reasons which might justify the rezoning in the context of the advice of planning experts.

The hearing continues.

Irish Times

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Landowners seek rezoning reversal

TWO LANDOWNERS have asked the High Court to quash the Limerick county manager’s rejection of a decision by councillors to rezone for residential and other development some 130 acres of farmland near Adare village.

PJ Farrell, a farmer who lives at and owns 90 acres at Ardshanbally and Gortaganniff on the outskirts of Adare, and Barbara Forde, Oulart, Gorey, Wexford, who owns 40 acres in the same area, have brought the proceedings against Limerick County Council. They claim county manager Ned Gleeson acted outside his powers in refusing to accept the rezoning decision as valid.

The council claims the rezoning would create a detached suburb from Adare in breach of its policy to protect the historic architectural integrity of the town.

In voting for the rezoning on September 29th, councillors argued it was needed to bring in employment and facilities. The court heard Mr Gleeson had obtained legal advice the rezoning was not effective under the 2000 Planning and Development Act.

Both landowners claim the local area plan (LAP) for Adare, which does not contain the rezonings, should be set aside. Alternatively, they are seeking an injunction restraining an LAP pending the outcome of proceedings.

In submissions made to the LAP process last July, a planning consultant for Mr Farrell argued his lands would be severed from the remainder of his farm by a proposed bypass of the town and the zoning should be for mixed uses including residential. Ms Forde’s consultant sought zoning for low-density serviced residential sites.

The county manager recommended the lands remain zoned agricultural on grounds rezoning would be contrary to the Limerick County Development Plan.

Eamon Galligan SC, for the landowners, told Mr Justice Brian McGovern that the issues included whether the county manager was entitled to take the view the rezoning resolution was invalid.

The council claims councillors failed to identify the variations they wanted to make in a sufficiently precise manner to constitute an effective LAP modification. It claims councillors failed to state any reasons which might justify the rezoning in the context of the advice of planning experts.

The hearing continues.

Irish Times

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CRACKS in the walls and floors of up to 750 houses are "insignificant" and not caused by building material supplied by one of the country's largest

AN BORD PLEANÁLA was yesterday accused of being out of touch for continuing to put on hold a decision on the e350 million Opera retail centre in Limerick.

Mayor John Gilligan said he has lost faith in the planning appeals board after a ruling on the Opera centre was deferred for a further four months.

Last week, An Bord Pleanala set April 9 as the decision date on the biggest retail development ever planned in the mid-west.

But the ruling will now be delayed as An Bord Pleanála requested further revised drawings for historic buildings on the proposed site at Rutland Street, Michael Street, Ellen Street and Patrick Street.

Mr Gilligan said: "Limerick City Council has to make a decision on a development within eight weeks but An Bord Pleanála can sit on it for six, eight or 12 months.

"I think they are totally out of touch with reality and I’ve just lost faith in them."

If given the go-ahead, the proposed Opera Centre could create up to 300 construction jobs and over 800 retail jobs when completed.

It is hoped that a major retailer such as Marks & Spencer will be attracted to take up an anchor tenancy.

Limerick City Council claim the Opera Centre plan will help the city centre fight the drift to suburban shopping centres, which has hit city centre trading.

An Bord Pleanála has given approval for a major development at Limerick’s Milk Market which will see it covered and extended to include a 120-seat restaurant.

The market only opens on Saturday mornings but An Bord Pleanala’s decision will now see it open six days a week.

Irish Examiner

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€2m facelift for Limerick Milk Market

A MAJOR development for one of the country’s oldest market places is set to commence within weeks.

The transformation of Limerick Milk Market, which dates back to 1852, is an extensive project due to be completed by early next year.

This follows the decision by Limerick City Council, and An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the project to the Limerick Market Trustees, a non-profit group responsible for running markets throughout the city and environs.

David O’Mahony, the chairman of Limerick Market Trustees, said the project will cost in excess of €2 million and would “move quickly to implementation, once the tendering process is complete”.

“Our plan is to build upon the phenomenal success of our open air Saturday Milk Market, transforming it into an even more vibrant, enlarged, week-long market venue, which will be weather-proofed and will attract more shoppers and visitors into the heart of Limerick city,” he said.

“In advancing our plans, we are conscious that we are the guardians of a unique and historic market which dates back to 1852. Our plan will fully protect the integrity of the market and will make it a landmark city attraction.”

The redeveloped market will provide opportunities for more small traders to showcase diverse and local produce, from fresh and fine foods through to horticultural produce, crafts and fashions, continued Mr O’Mahoney.

The transformation plan incorporates a structure covering the Milk Market courtyard, protecting visitors from the elements. A mezzanine floor, to extend from the existing Market House will accommodate a restaurant overlooking the market.

Beneath this will be a number of permanent trading outlets that will typically sell speciality foods and beverages, in keeping with the market’s ethos.

“The dynamic of a market, where the stallholders sell what they produce direct to shoppers, is very special. It creates a buzz, an energy and a business stimulant that is just brilliant, particularly within a city centre. Our plans are to facilitate this ‘buzz’ by providing a more perfect environment for both the stallholders and the shoppers. We will also be promoting the market as a venue for a range of special events, complementary to the market, to add to its overall appeal and to the contribution the market will make to the city,” said Mr O’Mahony.

In the coming weeks the market trustees will be detailing the opportunities the market presents for specialist retailers, producers and event organisers.

The development will form part of the Limerick Market Trustees overall strategy for increasing markets in the city. It is hoped it will complement the Riverside market, which runs on Sundays from April to October on Bedford Row in Limerick city centre.

Irish Times

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Limerick retail development project granted

A HUGE city centre retail development has been given the go-ahead in Limerick. However, a sole objector may hold up the project indefinitely.

Limerick City Council has granted planning permission for the ambitious project. Up to 600 jobs will be created in the €40 million project.

The five-storey commercial building will have 55,000 sq ft of offices and 5,000 sq ft of ground floor retail units.

The site is framed by Catherine Street, Glentworth Street and Mallow Street and the development will provide 110 basement car parking spaces.

The project is being undertaken by the Catherine Street Partnership, a business consortium.

The development area, which includes the former printing works’ site of the Limerick Leader newspaper is adjacent to O’Connell Street.

Zoned commercial, the site forms part of the city area identified by Limerick City Council for conservation and re-generation.

A spokesman said: “Portion of the site has been derelict for many years and is periodically a focus for anti-social behaviour.

“In particular, there will be a broad public welcome for the proposal to completely renovate the intimidating and unwelcoming laneway connecting Catherine Street and Glentworth, with proper street lighting and safe and attractive surface treatment,” the spokesman added.

The project has been well received by local businesses and residents who will see it as creating critical mass of commercial and amenity infrastructure in an area which is earmarked for significant investment by Limerick City Council.

The building design is by award winning architects, Murray O Laoire.

Any appeal to An Bord Pleanála could lead to a major overhaul of the scheme.

Irish Examiner

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Limerick retail development project granted

A HUGE city centre retail development has been given the go-ahead in Limerick. However, a sole objector may hold up the project indefinitely.

Limerick City Council has granted planning permission for the ambitious project. Up to 600 jobs will be created in the €40 million project.

The five-storey commercial building will have 55,000 sq ft of offices and 5,000 sq ft of ground floor retail units.

The site is framed by Catherine Street, Glentworth Street and Mallow Street and the development will provide 110 basement car parking spaces.

The project is being undertaken by the Catherine Street Partnership, a business consortium.

The development area, which includes the former printing works’ site of the Limerick Leader newspaper is adjacent to O’Connell Street.

Zoned commercial, the site forms part of the city area identified by Limerick City Council for conservation and re-generation.

A spokesman said: “Portion of the site has been derelict for many years and is periodically a focus for anti-social behaviour.

“In particular, there will be a broad public welcome for the proposal to completely renovate the intimidating and unwelcoming laneway connecting Catherine Street and Glentworth, with proper street lighting and safe and attractive surface treatment,” the spokesman added.

The project has been well received by local businesses and residents who will see it as creating critical mass of commercial and amenity infrastructure in an area which is earmarked for significant investment by Limerick City Council.

The building design is by award winning architects, Murray O Laoire.

Any appeal to An Bord Pleanála could lead to a major overhaul of the scheme.

Irish Examiner

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€350m Limerick centre gets go-ahead

PLANNING PERMISSION has been granted for the largest shopping centre in the midwest.

The €350 million Opera Centre in Limerick city is expected to create over 300 jobs during the construction phase and a further 800 jobs when completed.

The 38,500sq m facility will consist of two anchor units and 38 other retail units, as well as a basement car park with 505 spaces.

Construction is expected to take over two years to complete, but a start date for the massive project will be subject to approval from An Bord Pleanála.

Limerick City Council confirmed yesterday that planning permission had been granted for the multimillion euro development.

The local authority has already acquired a large number of plots of land and properties in Limerick city in order to pave the way for the construction of the centre, which was first mooted in 2005.

New plans lodged last May incorporate six additional buildings, including the Granary and the old Town Hall which are protected structures and are to be preserved.

The approved plans will also preserve the original home on Patrick Street of Limerick-born soprano Catherine Hayes, which will be refurbished and handed back to Limerick Civic Trust.

Mayor of Limerick John Gilligan said it was a vote of confidence in Limerick city but warned that was just the beginning of the process.

"I'm delighted, particularly with the news that so many jobs will be created, jobs which will be high quality and sustainable in the long term," he said. "However, this is not the end of the process. I hope there will be discussions with the sitting tenants who will be affected by this development and we can do everything we can to facilitate them," he said.

Pat Keogh, the project manager for Regeneration Developments Ltd, said he welcomed Limerick City Council's decision to grant planning permission, adding that the company was still considering the conditions the council had attached before making any further comment.

An Bord Pleanála meanwhile is due to rule later this month on an objection to a compulsory purchase order by Limerick City Council of a small plot of land needed to facilitate the development.

The local authority wants to gain title to Bank Place, which is less than 100sq m in size, but Trinity Rooms nightclub, which is located beside the site, has objected to the compulsory purchase order because it claims it will put the future of the nightclub at risk.

At a recent oral hearing, Limerick City Council senior planner Dick Tobin, admitted that revised plans for the Opera Centre development could put the nightclub's future in jeopardy.

However the local authority had to "weigh carefully the opportunity to create 1,000 jobs with the temporary displacement of 100 jobs at Trinity Rooms".

In a statement issued after the hearing, Pat Barry, managing director of Trinity Rooms, claimed this was "an appallingly cavalier attitude" to the jobs and livelihood of his workers.

The Irish Times

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Limerick private hospital to go ahead

PLANNING PERMISSION has been granted for the construction of another co-located private hospital, this time on the grounds of Limerick Regional Hospital.

The €250 million hospital is to be built by the Beacon Medical Group, which says it could be built and have its doors open in early 2011 barring any unforeseen circumstances.

The Beacon Medical Group has already been given planning permission for two co-located private hospitals on the grounds of Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital and Cork University Hospital. However, in both of those cases the decision to grant planning permission has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Beacon said yesterday its new hospital in Limerick would have 183 beds and six operating theatres, and it would directly employ 400 people. Construction is ready to commence in September.

Prof Mark Redmond of Beacon said: “We are extremely pleased to have received notification of the decision to grant planning for this proposed hospital, and believe that it will bring significant benefits to the local community.”

The new hospital will be seven storeys high, with a gross floor area of 25,047sq m.

The controversial plan to build co-located hospitals across the State was announced by the Government in July 2005. It said its aim was to free up additional beds for public patients in public hospitals by transferring private patients to the new hospitals.

Beacon said the Limerick hospital “will mirror the case-mix of the public hospital in that all specialities catered for in the public hospital will also be catered for in the co-located hospital – both medical and surgical, with the exception of national specialities”.

Irish Times

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Council planners oppose Adare land rezoning

PLANNERS are reportedly strenuously opposed to moves to rezone large tracts of farmland for housing near the picture-postcard village of Adare, Co Limerick.

Local politicians want to rezone several hundred acres of agriculture land.

But the council insists only 80 acres at most are needed for proper and ordered housing development in the tourism village over the next 20 years.

At a private briefing, senior officials told councillors that demands for major rezoning of land in Adare could not be given due to the heritage nature of the village and the pressure it would put on local services. Click Here!

Solicitors who attended the meeting also told elected members they could be in a legal minefield if they go against the professional advice of planners.

A number of court judgments were brought to the attention of the councillors where rezoning decisions had been overturned by the courts and the Minister for the Environment.

Rezoning is now being considered as part of the revision of the Adare Development Plan, due to be completed this year.

Council planners say Adare’s present population of 1,100 should only be allowed grow to 1,600 in the period of the six-year plan and over the next 20 years, the population should not exceed 2,600.

Planners insisted 80 acres would provide enough space for the housing needs up to 2028 and the council already owns 20 acres.

Rezoning is the preserve of elected representatives, but if they go against the advise of planners, they must show good cause.

Local councillors, at a meeting on January 15, 2007, agreed to push for the rezoning of large areas of farmland on the outskirts of the village for residential use.

They got backing from developers who see Adare as the jewel in the mid-west crown for house sites.

Councillor John Clifford said: “The legal advisers were brought to yesterday’s meeting at our request to be clear in our mind on the way forward.”

A half-acre site in Adare zoned for housing fetched €1.3 million in 2006.

Limerick County Council members have an arrangement that when councillors in one electoral area want to rezone land, the councillors in the other electoral areas support them. The full council needs a 75% vote to carry a rezoning.

However, it has emerged that council management have taken legal advice, such is their concern at what would happen Adare if the rezoning happened.

A confidential report carried out for the council by urban design consultants, Nicholas de Jong Associates, identified 150 acres of potential development land near the village. This land could hold 1,800 houses, increasing the population from 1,300 to more than 7,000.

A senior council source said: “We need to retain the character of the village and to achieve that we feel the population should not increase above 2,600.”

The draft development plan for Adare will shortly go on display. The public can make submissions on all aspects of the plan including the rezoning of land.

Irish Examiner

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No more hurdles for JP as mansion plans get go-ahead

EVEN before the roar went up for the first race, Cheltenham festival week got off to a flyer for racing enthusiast, JP McManus, who received the news that he can begin putting the finishing touches to his €100m mansion.

Mr McManus and his wife, Noreen, plan to build a grand entrance to his exclusive home at Martinstown, Co Limerick.

And yesterday the plan was given the green light by An Bord Pleanala following a series of delays.

Previous decisions on the planning permission were held up following an objection by a neighbouring landowner.

Mrs McManus lodged plans with Limerick County Council for eyecatching entrance gates complete with a natural stone archway. There will be adjoining pillars, with twin intricate turrets overlooking the entry point, and a specially constructed security building.

Ms McManus also applied to the local authority for plans to construct new gates and a sweeping access road to the main dwelling; relocation of entrance and access to the existing farm; a waste water treatment system and ancillary site works.

Conditional planning was granted by Limerick County Council last July.

However, an appeal against the local authority's decision was subsequently lodged to An Bord Pleanala last August by Barry Almer from Ballingarry, Co Limerick, and the decision has only now been made in favour of Mrs McManus.

Mr and Mrs McManus have splashed out over €100m on building the luxurious 40,000 square foot home in Martinstown.

Mrs McManus also lodged ambitious plans for a 31,000 square metre lake in the shape of county Limerick on the grounds of the estate, but Limerick County Council have expressed their reservations.

Mr McManus is be in Prestbury Park today for the racing extravaganza which begins at 2pm, where he will be keeping a close eye on his two runners, Captain Cee Bee and Binocular in the opening race.

Barry Duggan

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Proposals for €40m Limerick city centre development to be lodged

PLANS for a €40 million development in Limerick city centre will be lodged with council planners later this week, it was announced yesterday.

One of the most ambitious projects to be undertaken in the city will involve the construction of six floors of commercial units.

This will consist of 60,000 sq ft of office and retail space developed on a site framed by Catherine Street, Glentworth Street and Mallow Street in the heart of the city.

Up to 600 jobs will be created within the office and retail complex.

A basement car park will hold 110 vehicles.

The project is being undertaken by the Catherine Street Partnership, a consortium which includes Limerick businessman Noel Harrington.

It is hoped work can get under way by next June.

The proposed site, adjacent to O’Connell Street, lies within the single largest employment centre in the mid-west with more than 12,000 people employed.

Zoned as commercial, the site forms part of the city area identified for conservation and re-generation activities by Limerick City Council. It includes the former printing works of the Limerick Leader newspaper.

Mr Harrington said the addition of office and retail accommodation would be a tremendous fillip to the city centre and would enhance its marketability as a location for business investment.

He said: “The project makes a confident statement about the future of Limerick. We believe it will be well received by local businesses and residents who will see it as creating critical mass of commercial and amenity infrastructure in an area earmarked for significant investment by Limerick City Council.”

The design is based around a free-flowing courtyard which will be accessible by pedestrians from Catherine Street and Mallow Street.

Mr Harrington said: “The courtyard provides light and ventilation to the surroundings spaces and access to the two main office entrances.

“The building design, by award winning architects Murray O’Laoire, is innovative and sustainable. The office accommodation is naturally ventilated with the openable sections concealed behind perforated copper mesh to simplify the facade. Glazing is sued in moderation and recessed throughout the building in order to reduce heat gains and provide cool light.”

Many of the existing buildings within the proposed development site are dilapidated and unoccupied.

Mr Harrington said: “This is a wonderful city centre site which, because of its overall condition, is crying out for development and rejuvenation.

“Our project is very much in keeping with the development strategies of Limerick City Council which see the city centre having, in addition to significant restoration of the old historic quarter of the city, a mix of high quality commercial, retail and amenity development. In terms of user access, the site is ideal. Catherine Street is within easy walking distance of Colbert Station, the primary rail and business station in the mid-west. This affords users of the proposed development comprehensive public transport connections to Ennis, Shannon, Cork, Dublin and other locations.”

The developers will be engaging in consultation on the project with local businesses, residents and other stakeholders over the coming months.

The announcement comes days after a revitalisation plan for the city centre was unveiled.

The authors of the plan warned the city centre was in need of development to keep pace with the retailing schemes which have raced ahead in the suburbs.

Irish Examiner

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Limerick expands housing programme

THE expansion of Limerick City Council’s social housing programme into previously private suburban estates is set to accelerate to facilitate the regeneration programme in Moyross and Southill.

This year the council has completed just five house purchases in city suburbs and has identified about 50 other suburban houses for purchase. But the Government-backed plan for the regeneration of socially

deprived areas of the city is set to trigger a huge shift in population from places like Moyross and Southill to city suburbs, according to the city council’s director of housing Kieran Lehane.

The plan drawn up by former Dublin City Manager John Fitzgerald for the regeneration of Moyross and Southill and will, according to Mr Lehane, necessitate the transfer of many existing council tenants to houses that will be bought by the council in private estates.

Talks are taking place with the Department of the Environment for the money that will be needed to affect this aspect of the Fitzgerald plan.

All necessary money is expected to be approved as the Fitzgerald plan has full government approval.

Mr Lehane said those who will be moved have proven themselves impeccable council tenants and will be a great addition to the new communities they move to.

He said that antisocial behaviour problems in the suburbs arise in many instances from people housed in rented property outside of the council scheme.

Already, a backlash is emerging to increased social housing in private estates inside the city boundary and in the suburbs that lie in the administrative area of Limerick County Council.

A Limerick auctioneer said yesterday councils that buy houses on the private market should consult with local residents about tenants they are moving into a community.

Geraldine Leddin of GL Auctioneers said there is a concern among residents’ associations in Limerick about the proliferation of council-owned houses in what were privately owned residential areas.

Ms Leddin said: “I think the city council should be more accountable. It is not good enough for the council to go out and buy houses on a broad basis. The council should tell residents what is going on and where the new council tenants are coming from.”

Cllr Patrick O’Donovan, a Fine Gael member of Limerick County Council, said councils would be better off sorting out their housing problems within their own administrative areas.

Mr O’Donovan said: “If there is a house waiting list in Limerick City Council’s administrative area, I can’t understand who they are going outside their own jurisdiction to solve it. I don’t think it is good practice to go into another local authority’s functional area.”

Irish Examiner

€500m makeover for crime-ridden housing estate

HALF a billion euro has been earmarked to radically transform one of Ireland's most notorious crime-ridden estates into a modern tourist hub with luxury housing.

St Mary's Park in the heart of Limerick city has suffered from a range of social problems in recent years and is the stronghold of both the Keane and Collopy criminal gangs.

Known locally as the Island Field, the estate fell outside the remit of the John Fitzgerald report which has targeted the regeneration in two socially deprived suburbs.

However, Limerick City Council has ambitious plans for the area and recently contracted Erinaceous consultants to establish the feasibility of a massive facelift for the area.

Residents

All homes in the area received a questionnaire and 150 responses were returned from the residents.

Interested stake-holders including potential investors, community groups and local councillors, were consulted and planning experts based their draft proposals on the feedback they received.

At a public meeting Limerick architect, Hugh Murray presented illustrations and photographs of other waterfront regeneration projects to the local community.

It was proposed that the two kilometre riverfront around the estate (which is surrounded by water on three sides) will encompass a 90 acre urban quarter including residential and affordable housing along with shopping districts and sports facilities.

It is hoped to utilise land under conservation and put in 2,500 housing units in high rise buildings along with associated amenities.

However, the planning process will be a difficult one.

Local councillor, John Gilligan said all ideas were fine but the anti-social behaviour in the estate would initially have to be tackled before any future plans could be made.

"That's all well and good, but you have to tackle the more serious problems first. What's the point in building a lovely bungalow when crime continues in the area? I've never seen a bungalow shoot someone," said Mr Gilligan.

Mr Gilligan said there was an estimated 2,000 people living in the Island Field.

"This place was built in 1935 and the population is elderly, but 70pc said they want to come back here if the place is redeveloped. What chance do these people have of getting a mortgage? Where do people go in the meantime if there house is demolished".

Planners and architects will not begin the design process until an extensive consultation process has taken place.

Cost

The estimated cost of redeveloping St Mary's Park to its full potential with a tourist and residential hub is more than €500m.

Director of Service at Limerick City Council, Kieran Lehane moved to dispel families' fears for the future of their homes saying that each household will be looked at on a case by case basis.

However, one of the biggest obstacles facing planners is the estate's criminal gangs who bought up to 30 houses in the area and leased them back to locals.

Irish Independent

City 'must grow or it will become derelict by 2020'

LIMERICK needs to be made into a lady again or the city is in danger of completely dying by 2020, leading planners, developers and business members have been warned.
New plans include trebling the population of the city from 50,000 to 150,000 within 13 years and a complete overhaul of the entire city centre in sweeping proposals announced at a conference yesterday.
Leading architects from Elliott Maguire Landers (EML) presented a vast number of ideas which they claim will transform Limerick city life and prevent the city from becoming redundant and abandoned.
It is hoped the proposals, if put in place, would make Limerick a far more culturally and economically vibrant city and put it in pole position among other urban centres in the Shannon corridor.
The suggestions include a floating concert arena, a brand new pedestrian bridge, the demolition and redevelopment of the city's prime shopping district, Cruises St, the construction of a cluster of sky scrapers in a business district along with a new international conference centre and the demolition of many old buildings.
Director with EML, Michael Landers said Limerick as a city was dead after 6pm.
"Everybody pours out of the city centre after work. It is a dead city come 6pm. We are not a modern European city and lag well behind," said Mr Landers.
Compete
"We are now in danger of not being in the top four cities in Ireland. We cannot compete with Dublin, Cork is well ahead of us, Galway is much more organised and Waterford is now on our heels.
"If we do not grapple with the declining population issue, the city will die and other Irish cities will race ahead of us," he said.
EML Managing Director Hugh Elliot pointed out that Limerick is the only city in Ireland, if not Europe, where suburban commercial rents are higher than those in the city.
"I don't want to live in a city which is dying. We want to transform Limerick into a new city where 150,000 people will choose to live, a city that will attract investment and tourism by 2020," said Mr Elliot.

Barry Duggan
© Irish Independent

Locals set to fight Askeaton quarry

A PROPOSED 50-acre limestone quarry outside Askeaton would generate 700 truck movements a day on the N69, according to the group which has been formed to oppose the project. Denis Lane, from Croom, has applied through a Dublin firm of architects for planning permission for a quarry and site development and landscaping works, including the construction of an internal road, prefabricated office
buildings, canteen, ancillary mobile processing plant, wheelwash, control cabin and weighbridge, fuel tank, settlement lagoons, boundary treatment, wastewater treatment system and parking on an overall application area of 19.9 hectares (50 acres). The site is at Ballyclough, off the Askeaton to Ardagh road, a mile south of the town. A preliminary meeting of locals has already been held, at which 87 people attended, and an action committee has been formed to oppose the project. “The environmental impact statement states that there would be 35 lorries an hour over a 10-hour working day,” said action group chairman Tommy Kelly, who works at Aughinish Alumina and who has land near the proposed quarry on which he keeps thoroughbred horses. “That would amount to 700 truck movements a day. There is no way that the N69 could take that extra heavy traffic all the way into Limerick. People coming to work at Aughinish and Wyeth would be inconvenienced. Going by the previous experience, where a quarry was being applied for near Ferrybridge, property in the area would be devalued by 25 per cent. We’ll be getting our own auctioneers to do a valuation in this case.” Mr Kelly said that his own business would be badly affected, because thoroughbred bloodstock would be upset by the noise of the quarry working and of the heavy traffic. It was suggested at the preliminary meeting of residents that Dáil candidate Cllr Niall Collins was in some way connected with the applicant for the quarry. Cllr Collins this week denied any connection with Mr Lane or the quarry project and insisted that he would be among the first to object to the work. A further meeting will be held next Monday at Askeaton Community Hall, the purpose of which, said Mr Kelly, will be to have the greatest number of people as possible object to the planning application. Cllr Collins said that he will attend that meeting, or be represented, to voice his objection to the quarry going ahead.
Martin Byrnes
© Limerick Leader

Plans for major makeover of Limerick city

CITY centre business people in Limerick are being urged to take part in a public debate on plans to give a major makeover to the main shopping areas.

Urban designer Nicholas de Jong has drawn up radical plans to make city centre streets more shopper-friendly.

It is part of a strategy drawn up by the local authority to combat the inroads made by the growing number of suburban shopping malls.

The design plan will be put on display at City Hall next Thursday evening when planners will answer questions and deal with any concerns from the business community.

The revitalisation of the city centre will involve the full pedestrianisation of the busiest section of the O’Connell Street, the city’s main thoroughfare.

Other sections of O’Connell Street will have new traffic plans to give priority to pedestrians while other remodelling works will include the widening of footpaths and extensive landscaping.

William Street is also earmarked for major landscaping works.

Limerick City manager Tom Mackey said: “All of the work will include the installation of high quality surface finishes, distinctive new street furniture, improved public lighting and improved landscaping.”

He said the plan also provides for new traffic regulations to control the movement of vehicles and the kind of vehicles which will be allowed into the city centre.

Submissions and observations in respect of the city centre development plan must be lodged with the city council by Friday, May 11.

Limerick Chamber of Commerce and the city centre traders will be represented at Thursday’s meeting.

A spokesman for the traders said: “The plan seem to be a very exciting one and will make the city centre more accessible to shoppers.”

The city centre enjoyed a significant business comeback in late 2006, with record Christmas turnover levels, following a slump the previous year.

There had been growing concern that many retail outlets would be forced to close up shop and move to suburban shopping centres.

Irish Examiner