Permission to be sought for huge new riverside development in Limerick

A PLANNING application is to be lodged for a massive new development on the banks of the River Shannon which could provide homes for up to 1,000 people.

Limerick Twenty Thirty, a development firm operating at arms’ length from Limerick City and County Council, has advertised its intention to seek planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála for a huge new housing at the former Cleeve’s factory, near South Circular Road in the city.

The €400m scheme envisages a complete transformation in an area, which has been largely out of use since 2011 when milk processing at the site wound up.

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Limerick Twenty Thirty says it anticipates formally seeking planning permission next week, and it hopes to secure the green light by the end of next year.

Due to the size and scale of the development, it is being progressed directly to the national planning authority, rather than being decided upon locally.

The new neighbourhood is envisaged to provide 234 homes and 270 purpose-built student rooms.

On top of this, the planning application also provides for almost 300 square metres of commercial space and a creche - potentially to be a riverside cafe.

A new park is proposed to be opened on site.

Before any development can take place on site, the original Flaxmill building will need to be repaired.

A contractor for these heritage works is already in place, and work is expected to commence later this year.

This will pave the way for a further phase of development at the old Cleeve’s factory.

The former factory will be converted into lecture facilities for Technological University of the Shannon.

The development of the shipyard site adjacent to Cleeves Riverside Quarter will be the final phase of the project.

A public information session on the plans will take place this Wednesday lunchtime, from 12.30pm until 2pm at the Flaxmill Building in Cleeve’s.

A second session takes place on the same day, from 5pm to 7pm.

For those unable to attend in person, information is to be made available online at www.limerick2030.ie.

Mayor John Moran said: “It is great news to see the planning application for this disused site. Given the growing positivity about Limerick’s future, we need more anchors for enterprise and development. They really won’t come any bigger than Cleeve’s Riverside Quarter. This, by any city standards, especially with plans for the new pedestrian bridge, is a phenomenal site, located on the banks of the River Shannon, in what is effectively the city centre.”

Former mayor James Collins, the chairman of Limerick Twenty Thirty pointed to previous local projects the firm had worked on, including Gardens International and Opera Square which is nearing completion.

“While most of our projects have primarily focused on commercial office space, Cleeve’s represents a significant step in addressing Limerick’s urgent need for new homes and student accommodation, meeting the growing demand for quality, accessible places to live. Alongside its commercial offering, the project will also deliver a major new public realm, opening up the riverside for the whole community,” said Mr Collins, who served as a councillor from 2009 up to last year.