Council fails in bid to buy prominent former factory site in Limerick

COUNCIL has failed in its bid to purchase land containing a former milk factory beside the Milk Market in Limerick city centre.

A multi-storey building at the corner of Ellen Street and Carr Street has lain idle for 16 years.

The local authority made a bid to An Bord Pleanala to buy the building on a compulsory basis so it could then either sell it with the condition it be developed - or transform the building themselves.

However, the national appeals body rejected the bid.

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In an appeal against the compulsory purchase, Gerard Madden, the owner of IM Properties which is listed as the “owner/occupier” of the site by An Bord Pleanala made a number of points.

According to the summary from the appeals body, Mr Madden stated the site is well kept with ongoing improvements and repair works taking place.

Over €1m has been spent on significant strengthening works since 2019.

These works, an inspector from An Bord Pleanala noted, are ongoing.

An Bord Pleanala’s inspector did say the site takes away from the character and appearance of the surrounding area. However, further time was granted to the owner of the former milk factory to carry out the works which would take it out of dereliction.

Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler, who has campaigned for changes on the site is disappointed with the ruling.

He described the building, as it stands as being “an eyesore”.

"Anybody that has been observing the site can see that the efforts have been minimal, and it seems to be just enough to persuade An Bord Pleanala that efforts have been made by the developer. And yet we continue to see in one of the most prominent locations in the city centre, beside the Milk Market, this eyesore continue to be in situ, unused, unoccupied, and completely derelict,” said the former mayor.