Decision made on social housing plan at Limerick's riverside

AN BORD Pleanala has formally approved plans to develop 46 apartments on Limerick’s riverside.

As part of a joint venture, Tinwhat Holdings, a private developer has teamed up with housing provider Cluid for the project at New Road in Thomondgate on the city’s northside.

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

Limerick council planners approved the project of two multi-storey housing blocks.

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But an umbrella group of local residents asked the national planning appeals body to intervene.

They claimed the development is not appropriate for the site, which, it says, lies in a special area of conservation along the River Shannon, and called for the size to be reduced.

However, An Bord Pleanala approved the original plans - but ordered the completion of a neighbouring biodiversity park before any new residents move in.