Planning approved for Limerick college’s controversial €12m houses
At an average cost of more than €629k each, the price per house was more than double that typically paid for similar properties in the area.
THE COUNCIL has granted retention planning permission for the controversial 20 houses in Drominbeg, Rhebogue purchased by University of Limerick (UL) for €12.65m.
An application to the local authority was made by Plassey Trust Company for a change of use of 20 houses to use as student accommodation.
Professor Kerstin Mey stood down as UL president after the controversy around due diligence and governance when UL paid €12.65m in 2023 to buy the 20 homes worth €7.425m.
The university was accused of “throwing money around like confetti” over the bill for the houses which did not have planning permission to be used as student accommodation at the time.
The chairman of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee raised questions about the price paid.
At an average cost of more than €629,000 each, the price per house was more than double that typically paid for similar properties in the area.
Last week, a three-bedroom property in Drominbeg, Rhebogue, which is not connected to the university, was listed on the sales market with an asking price of €329,000.
The planning application reads: “The development for retention involves 80 number bed spaces and also involves retention of the ‘as-built’ development works which includes as-built boundary walls; minor reductions to floor and ridge levels; elevational changes; alterations to internal house layouts; changes to parking spaces and incidental changes to associated site works.”
One third party submission said the Drominbeg area should be used as a family and community area and not for students; the proposal will impact the existing community in Rhebogue and student accommodation should be located near UL.
The council granted retention planning on Monday, September 14, saying “subject to compliance with conditions, the proposed development would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
Conditions include the submission of a management scheme, providing adequate measures for the future maintenance of public open spaces, roads, services and communal areas.
Another condition is that the student accommodation shall be operated and managed in accordance with the measures identified in a finalised Student Accommodation Management Plan and student housing units shall not be amalgamated or combined.
Also, the 20 properties shall be used and occupied as student accommodation and not be sub-divided or used for any commercial purpose, including short-term letting, without a prior grant of planning permission.
A further condition is within six months of the final grant of planning permission, a secure bicycle storage unit shall be installed in the rear gardens of each house.
Following a media query from the Leader, a spokesperson for UL declined to comment.