Objection over ‘dominant’ mural on University of Limerick’s city campus

A NEW mural on Limerick’s riverfront has been described by an objector as “extensive and dominant”.

And, they added, the public should have been allowed to have more of a say on its introduction.

The wall art was erected at the Honan’s Quay side of the University of Limerick (UL) campus, in the former Dunnes Stores building this year.

But the objector has complained about the work, saying the fact it extends onto the footpath and road surface has made it “unsuitable for use by pedestrians in inclement weather”.

The objection was made as part of an appeal to An Bord Pleanala against plans to change the use of UL’s city centre campus from retail to educational.

These plans were granted by council in November, as the college geared up to welcome more than 700 students on-site daily. Following the appeal, it will now be April at the earliest before UL finds out if it has permission to change the use of the building.

The party which did appeal to An Bord Pleanala said the painting of the mural should have been subject to its own planning permission to allow the public a chance to have their say.

UL purchased the building from Dunnes Stores in 2019, after it had lain idle since 2008.

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It’s due to the fact the land was previously home to the supermarket giant that it is zoned as retail, which meant UL had to seek a change of use.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not until February 2022 that first classes started on site.

A separate objector said UL should be refused permission to change use of the complex.

Instead, it should be “encouraged” to “come forward with a planning application for a new landmark building.”

This would incorporate student accommodation and a public realm.

The objector said if An Bord Pleanala did decide to grant planning permission for change of use, it should be for a limited period of just three years.

The correspondent to the national planning appeals body did not outline what would happen once this time is up.

UL’s application to change use also provides for the provision of extra toilet and shower facilities to cater for higher usage of the complex.

The objector has argued that no information has been given on how the resultant extra waste water will be discharged.
UL declined to comment.