Permission granted for almost 100 new housing units in Limerick
LIMERICK City and County Council has afforded planning permission to the latest phase of a new housing development on the city's northside.
Riverpoint Construction has received the go-ahead from local planners to build 98 more homes in the townland of Clonconane between Old Cratloe Road and Pass Road which leads to Meelick in south-east Clare.
The development will comprise of 46 two-storey four-bed semi-detatched units, 42 two-storey three-bedroom semi-detatched units, and six single storey two-bed end-of-terrace homes.
On top of this, there will be four single-storey two-bed mid-terrace units, while the planning permission also provides for a number of works to facilitate the building of these new homes.
It’s part of an overall development plan submitted by Riverpoint for the area which will eventually see hundreds of living spaces in the area north of the River Shannon.
A separate application for 99 homes was green-lit in January, while the developers’ bid for an additional 54 units is currently on hold, with council planners awaiting further information.
Permission to build another 86 homes has been granted by council, with a decision due next month on proposals for a further 12 units.
Local Fine Gael councillor Olivia O’Sullivan has welcomed the grant of permission.
She said: “The reality is, we need more housing, so you need to welcome it when new housing is coming. I am being asked about this application a lot and if there is movement on it.”
The City North member also highlighted a condition the local authority has placed upon the planners for this set of houses - that for at least two years after the completion of the homes, only first-time buyers will be able to purchase them on the open market.
"To me this is important,” she said, “It means individual purchasers will have the first option on purchases. Given how few new developments we have had available for purchase on this side of the city, it has to be welcomed.”
Fifteen groups and individuals wrote to the council, largely to express concerns over the development.
One local resident told the council that there are no proposals in the masterplan for the area for a “holistic wastewater solution”.
“This phase should take the valuable opportunity to eliminate all the existing private septic tanks in the area as many were installed in the 1970s. By hooking up sewer lines into the proposed development or at least run a foul sewer parallel to the rear boundary of the bungalows and give an opportunity to future proof these sites environmentally,” they said.
Concerns were expressed about the overlooking of the new homes on the current houses - and in particular the back gardens - along the Pass Road.
And the objector added: “Based on the masterplan numbers, we believe this will cause serious traffic stacking on Pass Road where it meets Old Cratloe Road.”
Despite this, local planners gave permission to the development subject to 27 conditions.
On top of the stipulation that first-time buyers should be prioritised, the developer was asked to pay the local authority €213,552 for public infrastructure and facilities to benefit the area.
The authority ruled that the external wall of each home should have ducting in order to accommodate a charging point for electrically operated vehicles.
No work should be allowed to take place on site outside the hours of 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm on Saturday.
No work is permitted at all on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, unless agreed in writing by the local authority. Prior to building, an archaeological excavation must also take place.