Concern over ‘size and scale’ of Limerick apartment plans

RESIDENTS living close to a site planned for apartments have expressed concerns over its “size and scale”.

As part of a joint venture, Tinwhat Holdings, part of the Whitebox Group has teamed up with housing provider Cluid to plan for 46 apartments on the banks of the River Shannon.

Some of these houses are earmarked for elderly people, with others destined to be both social and affordable units.

If passed, the project would see two multi-storey housing blocks, along New Road in Thomondgate.

However, locals are unhappy with what is proposed, and are gearing up to appeal against it to Limerick City and County Council, whose planners are currently deliberating on the scheme.

Pat Murphy, who lives directly opposite the site, known as Prior’s Land, said residents are “depressed, shocked and sick” about the plans “due to the “size and scale of it.”

“It’s not in keeping with the area,” he added.

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A spokesperson for Whitebox said the proposed development “continues the existing building line and urban edge along New Road and is proposed in two blocks that rise from two storeys to four storeys in height with the top floor recessed.

The stepping effect of the design is to reflect  and respect the scale of development in the area and to add to the eclectic traditional streetscape of New Road.”

Linda Ledger of the Kileely Residents Association said there are fears around flooding.

“All of Donnellan’s Field [beside the site] is flooding. There is no mention of putting flood defences on our side. Would you even get house insurance there? We’ll see it flooding every year,” she said.

This point is disputed by a Whitebox spokesperson, who said the buildings lie outside the flood zone, and a full flood risk assessment has been carried out as part of the planning application.

And another resident, Sean McIlfatrick raised concerns around Japanese knotweed, which he says is “pervasive” across the site.

He claimed that it could be three years before any development can happen there due to the measures needed to eradicate the invasive species.

For its part, Whitebox said it’s done a full report on the knotweed, and has a proposal to get rid of it.