Developer reacts to planning rejection of new housing estate in Limerick
THE developer behind proposals to build a massive new housing development in Limerick says they will investigate re-applying for permission.
It comes as An Bord Pleanala rejected a planning application for multi-million euro proposals to build almost 450 homes on a four-acre site off Pa Healy Road at Rhebogue in the city.
The proposed development would have seen the construction of seven high-rise blocks to include 363 build-to-rent apartments in a mix of studio, one-bed room and two bedroom units.
A further 61 student apartments were earmarked to go alongside 18 dwelling houses.
But the national planning appeals body has rejected the plans for a second time. In 2020, the proposals were rejected due to the fact the development site supports different species of otter.
A fresh application, which was subsequently lodged, has now been rejected.
In its decision, which was formally approved earlier this week, a number of reasons for the refusal were outlined by the board including concerns relating to the potential impact on the River Shannon and the River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area and the potential to cause flooding in other locations.
It followed a submission by Environmental Trust Ireland, whose president is solicitor Michelle Hayes, who warned "massive large scale monstrosities like this, if unchallenged, would create a concrete jungle."
An Bord Pleanala's move to reject the housing plan comes in spite of the local authority recommending it be approved.
Now, a spokesperson for Revington Developments, which has been trying to develop on the site since 2019, said it noted the decision which was made "mainly on the grounds that it no longer complies with the recently adopted Limerick City and County Development Plan."
"We are satisfied that a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment and Natura Impact Assessment were carried out and demonstrated no risk to the environment or local habitats," they said.
Revington also confirmed: "We will review the proposed planning application, in light of An Bord Pleanala's decision and will look to submit new plans for the site via the new Large-Scale Residential Development process as soon as possible."
"We still believe that this site is ideally located for residential development and is a critical project in meeting the demands for accommodation in the area to enable the securing of the committed foreign direct investment jobs and the rejuvenation of the city," they added.