Just 27 parking spots planned for 285-home development in Limerick

CONCERN has been expressed after it’s emerged that a development of almost 300 affordable homes is projected to have only 27 car parking spots.

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is seeking permission from council to build 285 new homes at the former gasworks site, located on the corner of Dock Road and O’Curry Street in the city.

As things stand, it means there is less than one car parking spot for every 10 homes.

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“Limerick is a small provincial city not an urban conglomerate. Most adults own or expect to own a car,” one person wrote in a letter to council expressing concern.

LDA, the State agency charged with delivering affordable homes on public or acquired land, is planning 142 one-bed apartments, 127 with two-bedrooms and 16 with three-bedrooms.

These will tower up to eight storeys, with the plans also including a new public plaza landscaped gardens, communal spaces plus a childcare facility.

But Limerick Chamber, and local councillor Maria Donoghue were among 10 groups and individuals who contacted council.

Many of them expressed concern over the lack of space for cars.

Chamber economist Sean Golden wrote: “With 285 apartments, there will likely be approximately 440+ residents, yet the proposal provides 27 parking spaces - 9.4% of units and 17.8% of maximum allowable parking. While we recognise and support the broader policy goals of reducing car dependence and increasing public transport, there is a concern with so little parking provided for in proportion to the development, that on-street parking and the streets of the city will be used as overflow parking. This would create further vehicle clutter on the streets.”

It is a concern shared by Cllr Donoghue, who pointed to the plans to rip out parking spaces in favour of Active Travel measures, nearby at South Circular Road.

This, and the development’s proximity to Dolan’s, means it “is going to cause significant issues for local residents,” she argued.

For its part, agents for the LDA have stated: “The reduced car parking provision is justified on the basis of the city centre location, the availability of current and future public transport, the inclusion of five car sharing spaces and a generous provision of cycle parking facilities.”

Council are scheduled to make a decision before October 1 next.