Planning approved for new student accommodation in Limerick city centre
The development is located above a charity shop on Limerick’s Thomas Street
LIMERICK City and County Council (LCCC) have granted planning permission to convert part of a building in Limerick city centre into student accommodation.
The local authority has given conditional permission to develop the first, second and third floors of 16 Thomas Street into student accommodation.
The ground floor of the Georgian building is currently occupied by a St Vincent De Paul charity shop.
The development is set to include six en-suite bedrooms and a communal kitchen and living area.
According to the planners report, permission was sought for a change of use of existing apartments at first, second and third floor levels into student accommodation with a communal dining and living area.
Permission was also sought for a new ground floor entrance door and alterations to rear windows of the building.
Upon a further request of information, by the local authority, in August 2026 the applicant confirmed that the six en-suite bedrooms proposed at the site are “above the minimum requirement” of 11.5 sq.m whilst the kitchen and living area is noted to be 46 sq.m.
The planning report further describes how the existing door onto Thomas Street is to be replaced with a window and a new door is proposed within the entrance area of the shop.
This alteration is to allow for additional bike and bin storage.
The conditions outlined for the project include how the development is only permitted to be used as student accommodation and not for any other purpose, unless planning permission is granted for a change of use.
“The Council will prioritise student accommodation on campus or within a 1km distance from the boundary of a third level institute, followed by locations within close proximity to high quality public transport corridors, cycle and pedestrian routes and green routes,” reads the planners report.
The planning report refers to the The Limerick Development Plan, which notes how the site is zoned as city centre, a zoned area where student accommodation is permitted.
The proposed development is located approximately 1.3 km away from Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) and less than a kilometre from College of FET Mulgrave Street Campus.