New plan sought at former Longpavement dump in Limerick

A NEW masterplan is to be produced with a view to redeveloping land at the former city dump which has been out of use over 25 years.

Limerick City and County Council is seeking to appoint a contractor to kick start the regeneration of the Longpavement site, which closed to the public in March 1998.

Up to now, it has been difficult for any planning to take place on the land near Moyross due to the fact methane gas was emanating from the landfill.

But councillors have long pushed for action on the site, and it appears that once a consultant is in place, this will move a step closer.

READ MORE: ‘Brazen’: Thieves take the lead at Limerick GAA ground

Metropolitan district leader and northside councillor Kieran O’Hanlon was one of the members who voted through the closure of Longpavement 26 years ago.

“It was an absolute disgrace. At the time, a lot of the rubbish used to tip into the river and float down it. There was a mountain of rubbish. Smoke billowed out into Corbally and Kileely. So it was a very welcome closure at the time,” he said.

Following its closure in 1998, Longpavement was used as a waste transfer facility, but it has been fully out of use since 2002 and has lain idle since.

Cllr O’Hanlon welcomed the masterplan, but warned given the history of the site, there may be restrictions on what it can be used for.

In 2013, it was stated that it could take between 10 and 15 years for gas to be naturally burnt from underground.

“I’m delighted to have been part of a council which closed the Longpavement dump. But I welcome the masterplan,” said Cllr 'Hanlon.

The Fianna Fail member said there is significant space on site, and suggested sporting use for the area.

“There is a lot of land there. You could put soccer, rugby and GAA pitches in there,” he said.

An idea had been floated previously to open a nature park there.

In an advert, council said the successful consultant will provide “remediation and development activities” at the landfill.

The successful consultant must possess an expertise in a number of areas, including the supervision of landfill remediation works and other related infrastructure, added the local authority in the advert.