Brooks seeks planning permission for former Bishop’s Palace land
PLANS for a major development on the former Bishop’s Palace on the North Circular Road, have just been lodged with City Hall. Property developer, Aidan Brooks, has handed in an application for planning permission to construct a retirement village and nursing home complex on a site, formerly occupied by the Catholic and Protestant bishops of Limerick.
The five-acre site, which is close to Mr Brooks’s residence, is regarded as one of the city’s most desirable residential locations.
The developer has confirmed to near neighbour cllr Michael Hourigan, that once planning permission is received, construction work will commence.
There is also confirmation from the city planner, Kieran Reeves, that phase one of the two-storey development, which will be adjacent to Ard Scoil Ris, will comprise of a 60-unit nursing home and 28 separate retirement units, with courtyards and amenities.
The North Circular road has been the subject of much heated controversy in recent years with councillors exercising particular vigilance with regard to the appropriate nature of newly submitted planning applications, especially in relation to the conservation of the area’s prized mature trees and the impact of increased traffic on its narrow roads.
Cllr Hourigan’s initial reaction to the proposed development is positive
“I’ve been talking with Mr Brooks who officially hands in his planning application to City Hall on Thursday morning, and I’m happy ,that the development is a good one for the North Circular Road. Being a retirement complex, it will not generate heavy traffic, especially at the peak morning and evening times. Its residents will be just minutes’ walk from the city centre and be close to a church, the bus service, a shopping centre etc. Mr Brooks guarantees to safeguard the area’s trees and unique environment and is eager to meet with the residents and clarify issues for them,” he told the Limerick Post.
He concluded: “I’m just one of the five elected representatives for the northside and there are three of us – Cllr Kathleen Leddin, Cllr John Ryan and myself living on the North Circular Road, but I feel this is a good and appropriate development – it is not high rise, it will not generate or impact negatively on the traffic here, and the developer is particularly sensitive to the local environment and its upkeep. Its also a good development for the entire northside of the city”
