Development group gets go-ahead for Limerick village playground
Council gave the development permission subject to conditions
A WEST LIMERICK community has received a boost after council approved plans for a new state-of-the-art playground in the area.
The Mountcollins Development Association sought permission from local planners for the play park, which would include fencing, lighting installations and other site works.
And the local authority gave the development conditional planning permission.
It’s a move which now means the development group can apply for funding in order to progress the project.
Its chairperson Kevin Flannery said: “As an association, we recognise the areas in our parish which need improving. With the funding that’s there at the moment, we decided we would look at providing something for the younger children in the parish.
The older children would have GAA and soccer, so younger children also need to be looked after. We felt the playground would be a useful amenity to have in the parish.”
The park is to be located on land in the vicinity of Mountcollins GAA club.
Now, the focus of the development association switches to raising the money for the playground, with Mr Flannery saying it will cost an estimated €250,000.
“We are hoping to have a section for younger children and a section for older kids, and maybe things like zip lines and swings,” he added.
Funding is available for the project from West Limerick Resources and Limerick City and County Council, while the group are also hoping for donations from local businesses.
There will also be some community fundraisers to turn the vision into a reality.
Now Mountcollins Development Association has received permission, its chairperson hopes that their efforts will inspire other communities across Limerick to seek similar amenities.
“It’s a great boost for the area, and hopefully it will bring a bit more life back into the village,” Mr Flannery said.
“The blueprint is there for other associations to follow us and copy what we are doing. At the moment, funding is available for these projects so why not avail of it if it is there,” he asked.
It’s anticipated fundraising and building the playground will take the next two years.
Council gave the development permission subject to a total of nine separate conditions.