Limerick woman ‘devastated’ by height of new home next to her

A LIMERICK woman has been left “devastated” after the bungalow she’s lived in all her life has been left overshadowed by a new housing development.

Bernie Gavin, who lives in Redgate just outside Caherdavin, says she is struggling emotionally after seeing the height of a neighbouring house which she says is “overshadowing” her home and “blocking out the sunlight”.

“I used to be able to look up and down the road when I came out. It’s blocking out light from the house, sunlight from the roof,” said a tearful Bernie, who has lived in the same property for 55 years.

“I’ve felt I’ve not been listened to,” she added.

Bernie is being supported by her neighbours on the city’s northside.

It was in  2022 when developers, the Paramud Brothers secured planning permission from council to demolish a former shop, hairdresser and dog parlour which neighboured Bernie’s home, and construct housing.

Council approved plans for four terraced two-storey townhouses and for the construction of two single-storey detached houses to the side and rear of Bernie's bungalow.

She has admitted she did not object to the planning application at the time, saying she did not realise how high the development would rise above her home.

She says she was also in and out of hospital with arthritis at the time.

“I didn’t realise it was going to be so high. I know I didn’t object straight away, I’ll acknowledge that. I was not fully aware of the size and scale,” she said.

“There is so little space between my house and the wall. Who is responsible if the house is damaged in a storm? Or if there is a fire nearby, will the fire service need to use this passageway. It’s very unsafe.”

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Local TD Willie O’Dea said he could understand Bernie’s frustration, and called for council to review it.

Developer Yuri Paramud, director of the Paramud Group claimed it was the council who proposed the way the homes were designed.

“Initially, we applied for planning permission with a detached house in front of the estate opposite to Bernie’s property,” he claimed.

A number of her neighbours have signed a letter to council in support of her.

A spokesperson for the local authority confirmed that on receipt of complaints from local residents, an investigation has been opened.

“We cannot comment on a live investigation,” they added.