Local residents oppose plan for homelessness charity to expand Limerick drop-in centre

PROPOSALS by a homelessness charity to expand its drop-in centre in Limerick have been opposed by local residents who have asked the national planning authority to intervene.

As revealed by the Limerick Leader, the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is planning to increase its footprint from Ozanam House in Hartstonge Street in the city centre to the neighbouring Mechanics’ Institute.

The charity plans to take over 70% of the historic trade union building, and will use it for food provision, practical and emotional support and a housing support service for those who are homeless.

In supporting documents, agents for the charity state that no overnight accommodation will be provided, and neither building will become “an addiction service.”

But the proposals have drawn two comprehensive objections to An Bord Pleanala after local planners approved the project.

This includes one from nine locals and business owners in the Georgian Quarter community.

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Already, they claim, there are issues in the vicinity of where SVP operates from.

“The idle congregation by persons not busy or occupied is common on both streets with frequent verbal (and sometimes physical) disputes occurring between persons standing at or travelling to and from the existing facility as well as the littering of food parts and packaging served by the existing facility,” they wrote in their objection.

They claimed it's “difficult, if not impossible” for SVP to manage this.

Two other objectors said it would represent better value for SVP to move into a new purpose-built centre, and even signposted a building in their (objector's) ownership near Colbert Station.

“It is hard, indeed not credible, to understand why the society with a budget of close to €4m could not find another suitable location,” they wrote.

They alleged it is “an emotional attachment” to Hartstonge Street which is “dominating (SVP’s) thought process.”

Objectors also said there is no “reasonable justification” for the way an expansion by the charity could impact places like People's Park, the local primary school, the City Gallery and other neighbouring amenities.

It was also suggested that there is demand from the local community to host events in the Mechanics' Institute which dates back to 1824.

SVP did not return a request for comment. A decision is due by December.