Update issued on plans for multi-million euro development in Limerick

MAYOR John Moran has cleared the way for a massive scheme on Limerick's northside, featuring a medical facility, shops, a nursing home and 115 places for people to live.

The first citizen has signed an order which will allow the land at Ballygrennan on the edge of Moyross to transfer from the ownership of the local authority to Cluid and Whitebox, the two companies which have been awarded the rights to develop the 31-acre site.

The site is set to be known as Greenhills, and will feature two new medical units - a single-storey unit with consulting, diagnostic and treatment rooms, and a four-storey medical unit with consulting, diagnostic and treatment rooms.

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On top of this, there will be 73 new homes, 61 of which will be three-bedroomed with a further 12 four-bedroom units.

A neighbourhood centre will feature 42 two-bed apartments, a pharmacy with a drive-thru facility, a coffee shop, a local convienience retail unit and a day centre.

A three-storey 90-bed nursing home will also be constructed alongsdie a new ambulatory medical facility and the hospital itself.

Mayor Moran said: "This project is yet another of the plans in the More for Limerick programme for Moyross kicking into action, with other key ones to follow soon. I want to thank colleagues in our housing and Regeneration teams, along with elected members in both the current and previous council term, for their work in getting this project shovel-ready. This is the moment for Moyross to begin to shape another new narrative – one of resilience, creativity and shared future – building on the progress in recent years. Onwards and upwards - more for Moyross."

Northside Fine Gael councillor Olivia O'Sullivan has welcomed the disposal of land - but has questioned the naming of the project as Greenhills.

"Did anybody in the council stop to consider that we already have a Greenhills on the northside? Which is home to a very successful family-owned hotel and leisure centre, and is the location of the home pitch of Caherdavin Celtic FC, as every local soccer fixture list will testify," she said.

"One Greenhills in the northside is enough. By duplicating this name we are only going to cause confusion between people travelling for the medical facilities, hotel or soccer fixtures," she added.

Cllr O'Sullivan referenced previous interventions she had made after the initial lands for the project were credited as Coonagh, when in fact, they are more Ballygrennan, near Moyross.

She has called for a different name instead of Greenhills to be proposed to avoid confusion.

Dr Pat Daly, the council's director general hailed the development as a "game changer for Moyross", with the development having received planning approval in February last year.

"With planning permission secured, the official disposal of this land lays the foundation for a more vibrant, healthy and sustainable community. We’re looking forward to seeing the delivery of a project that aligns so closely with our vision for a thriving, equitable Limerick," said the director.

A contractor has been identified and work is expected to begin shortly.