Council face battle to acquire prime site in Limerick
LIMERICK Council is facing a court challenge over the acquisition of a prime site in the city centre.
At this month’s metropolitan district meeting, Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler sought an update on when buildings covering 35 and 37 Catherine Street will be developed.
Currently unoccupied, planning permission is in place for a development providing 24 apartments and an office complex.
Once home to the Desmond Arms, scaffolding appeared on the buildings early last year advising of impending development. Developers are marketing the site as the Printworks, harking back to a time when the Leader was printed in the area. Since the scaffolding was erected, nothing has happened.
In response to Cllr Butler’s question, director Gordon Daly said the authority had secured permission from An Bord Pleanala to buy the site on a compulsory basis under laws which allow it to purchase lands which have lain idle for an extended period.
However, the owners of the site challenged this ruling through the High Court, with a decision on the case still awaited.
Mr Daly confirmed the site remains on the derelict sites register.
Normally this would mean the owner of the land would pay higher rates under laws designed to prevent dereliction.
But, he said that due to the fact the landowner has also appealed the valuation of the site placed on it by the council to a special tribunal, it cannot collect cash until this process is completed.
Separately, Cllr Butler asked if action will be taken against the owner of an unfinished site at the former Madden's Milk factory located at the corner of Ellen Street and Carr Street.
He described the condition of the site - in the shadow of the Milk Market - as being an "embarrassment to the council" if it's allowed to remain as is.
Mr Daly said the local authority tried to acquire the land on a compulsory basis, but were refused permission by An Bord Pleanala.
Planning permission is in place for a guest house there, which would contain seven bedrooms.