Developers set to seek permission for over 730 new homes in Limerick

PLANNING applications for two major housing developments totalling more than 700 homes in Limerick are set to be lodged within days.

In what is the largest stand-alone housing planning application in recent memory, Columbia Estates Management (IE) Ltd is seeking permission for 523 homes at Monaleen Road in Castletroy.

And permission is also set to be sought for 212 new homes at the Towlerton development, just off Ballysimon Road.

READ MORE: 'This is the right thing to do': Culture Minister on new national museum for Limerick

If both get the go-ahead, it means 735 new homes could be built, providing a major boost to local housing numbers.

Columbia Estates Management (IE) Ltd, based at Hartstonge Street in the city centre, is seeking to develop on lands adjoining the Castletroy Water Tower.

Looking for permission to develop over 10 years, 523 homes are planned.

Some 214 of these are planned to be two-and-three storey high, with the majority - 204 - being three-bedroomed.

The remaining 10 are planned to have two-bedrooms.

A further 309 apartments are also projected for the area.

Some 159 of these will be one-bed, 141 will be two-bed and nine three-bed, according to the planning notice.

These apartments will be spread across 10 buildings.

Eight will tower up five-storeys in height, the two will measure between four and five storeys.

One of the apartment blocks will contain a creche and an outdoor play space, with a new entrance and upgrade works proposed from Monaleen Road.

Elsewhere, Whitebox Ltd has announced plans for a “landmark” 212-home development in Towlerton.

Some 102 houses are planned rising up two-and-three storeys.

The scheme will comprise 60 three-bed, two-storey homes and 34 four-bed homes ranging from two to three storeys.

In addition, there will be eight two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-storey homes - these are houses with living space built into the roof.

Six, three-storey high apartment blocks are also planned as part of this development.

Also included in this new neighbourhood will be a creche facility for 40 children.

The area has in the past few years become home to a new secondary school, a private hospital and a branch of discount supermarket Lidl.

Whitebox managing director Martin White said: "As someone who was born and raised in Limerick, I am incredibly proud of the role Whitebox is playing in shaping the city’s future. The scale of the accommodation challenge is well understood, and we are determined to be part of the solution. The Towlerton development, alongside our projects in Moyross, Groody and planned developments elsewhere represents a long-term commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes and student accommodation where they are needed most. Over the coming years, Whitebox will deliver housing at real scale, helping families, young professionals and students to put down roots and thrive in Limerick.”

Following the publication of planning notices, both developers now have a fortnight in which to furnish Limerick City and County Council with documents relating to the application.

Following this, planners will then set a date by which they would expect a decision to be made.