New chapter for Limerick garda station

A FORMER garda station in Limerick is set for a new lease of life.

The old barracks at Lord Edward Street in the city centre - closed since 1987 - is one of 12 properties the local authority formally acquired this Monday under legislation designed to stop buildings falling into dereliction.

Council has announced a vesting order has been made on this property.

It means its owners now have a year to make contact with the local authority, before it comes into its ownership.

A council spokesperson said the property has been “detracting from the amenity and character of the neighbourhood.”

“The vesting of this property and its subsequent redevelopment will have a significantly positive effect on the area and the people who reside there,” they said.

Elsewhere in the city, council has announced a number of residential buildings which it is placing vesting orders upon.

Council says its increasing its efforts in addressing issues of dereliction and vacancy this year.

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The spokesperson said the council has been given €9m from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support more compact and sustainable development.

“In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, this will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered to ensure that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work,” they added.

It’s likely that any properties the council acquires will be sold on the private market, with a condition that any buyer redevelops the building in a set time period.

Ultimately, it will be the role of councillors to approve or deny any sale.