Locals appeal against plans for 46 apartments in Limerick area

LIMERICK residents have formally appealed against a decision to allow 46 new social housing units on the banks of the Shannon.

As part of a joint venture, Tinwhat Holdings, a private developer has teamed up with housing provider Cluid for the apartments at New Road in Thomondgate.

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

Limerick council planners approved the project, which envisions two multi-storey housing blocks.

Now, an umbrella group of local residents have asked the national planning appeals body to review the decision, a move expected by February next.

In a comprehensive objection to An Bord Pleanála, the group claim the development is not appropriate for the site, which, it says, lies in a special area of conservation along the River Shannon.

They add it will have a “very negative impact” on the local community, and want to instead see a “lower impact housing scheme”.

Former Limerick council employee signposts issues with plans

They also said the site is “heavily infested” with Japanese Knotweed, a plant known to cause damage to building structures.

The umbrella group claims there is around 4,117 square metres of the plant.

For its part, a spokesperson for the developer has previously said it's done a full report on the Japanese Knotweed and has a proposal to get rid of it.

The umbrella group, meanwhile, added: “The risk to the flora, fauna and wildlife cannot be underestimated with the potential for a complete collapse of this unique biodiversity area.”

“The site has developed into a rich, diverse and unique to the area, biodiversity and ecological site with many species of trees, plants, fauna, wildlife of many and varied species including protected species (like) bats and otters,” they add.

The group in the area has been campaigning for the land, out of use for 20 years, to be converted into a biodiversity park.

They still want this, but say low-density housing could complement this.

Flood concerns were also raised, with the umbrella group pointing out that on the day they formally objected to An Bord Pleanála, the Shannon burst its banks, with staff of the nearby JJ Bowles pub posting videos of its beer garden under water.

The developer has previously said the design is done to “reflect and respect” the scale of development locally and to add to the traditional streetscape of New Road.