Limerick residents object to construction of new apartments beside 'sacred' graveyard

TWENTY APARTMENTS which are proposed to be built beside St. Mary's Graveyard in Abbeyfeale have been given conditional planning permission by the local authority - despite local concerns.

The proposed apartments on Old Church Street will be four storeys tall, and half of the apartments will be one-beds - with the other half being two-beds.

There has been significant opposition to the building with a number of community organisations and 18 individuals submitting observations to the planning authority in relation to the development.

St Mary’s Graveyard Committee wrote that “The graveyard is a holy and sacred place”, and said “the apartments would have an adverse effect on the privacy and serenity of the site as the proposed apartments with balconies will be overlooking the graveyard”.

READ MORE: UPDATE: ‘I know God has bigger plans for you’ - sister of Limerick mum Scarlett Faulkner

The committee also said that “Over the years we have had many problems with anti-social behaviour in our graveyard”, and expressed concern that the new development could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour within the graveyard.

The committee brought up the planned development’s lack of parking as a problem.

“There is no parking provided for the 20 apartments in the proposed development and will lead to an obstruction during funerals,” they wrote.

If obstruction to the graveyard occurred due to the housing development’s lack of parking, it would be “disrespectful for mourners”, the group wrote.

Planning documents do detail that bicycle parking and storage will be provided for the apartment residents in a “safe and secure building” as part of the development.

One man, who lives near the proposed development, had an issue with the height and newness of the development.

“I suggest that you seriously consider the development of two storey town houses whose design would be more in-keeping with the present street-scape and heritage of the area,” he wrote.

“Many of the streets’ buildings date back to the mid 1850s.

“Limerick City and County Council has undertaken a welcome redevelopment of many rundown and derelict buildings in Abbeyfeale, all the while maintaining their original design. Therefore I cannot understand why the LCCC might consider this proposed development that contravenes its own guidelines,” he wrote.

The Old Abbey Restoration Committee wrote in their objection that the “graveyard is still in use for burials. At such a sensitive time it would not be appropriate to be overlooked by spectators on the balcony.”

A woman submitted a hand-written observation describing how the new development could impact her relationship with the dead.

“Personally my two sisters, brother, aunt, are interred there. Therefore I feel my connection and the connection of other people with their dearly departed will be seriously compromised”, she wrote.

The conditional planning permission is subject to a total of 18 conditions.