Permission granted for new apartment block in Limerick city

AN BORD Pleanala has cleared the way for a new student village on a long-vacant site in Limerick.

Cloncarragh Investments had secured permission to develop on land opposite Punch's Cross at the former John Moloney garage on the outskirts of the city.

As part of the project, the existing out-of-use structures will be demolished.

In their place will be 30 build-to-rent apartments. Separately there will be 68 additional apartments accommodating 318 students.

The new facility - on land which has lain idle for two decades - is designed to meet the needs of those studying at Mary Immaculate College, whose students last year staged a demonstration over the lack of suitable accommodation in Limerick.

Vacant Limerick site looks set to get a new lease of life

It's the third time An Bord Pleanala has deliberated on these plans, with the national planning body rejecting the first blueprint.

This sparked a rethink from the developer, which then secured permission a second time around.

However, back in October, High Court judge Mr Justice David Holland took a decision to quash this ruling due to the failure of

An Bord Pleanala to circulate a submission on the project to Limerick's planning authority in a timely manner.It followed a challenge from Environmental Trust Ireland (ETI), which put forward a number of arguments including that the proposed development site is a former quarry and petrol station and is, as a result "contaminated" with "corroded underground fuel storage tanks".

The ruling meant An Bord Pleanala had to recirculate the submissions and reconsider the application which it has now done.

Following a recommendation by its inspector, An Bord Pleanala moved to grant permission to Cloncarragh Developments for the project subject to 29 conditions.

This includes a stipulation that the 68 apartments earmarked for students shall only ever be accommodated by those studying at third level, and will not be used by any other party without further permission.

Proposals for the development name and the numbering of the units must be approved by Limerick City and County Council planners.

And the board stated the communal areas within the development will be overseen by a management company.

The car parking layout must be resubmitted, and 50 cars will be allowed to park on site, An Bord Pleanala's report states. One in ten spaces must contain provision for electrical car charging.

Site development and building works will only be permitted between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and 8am and 2pm at weekends. No work is permitted to take place on Sundays or public holidays.