THE controversy regarding the construction of a Youth Centre on a green area fronting Ballynanty Beg continues to gather momentum. The issue, which is ongoing for some months, centres on the residents’ opposition to the Centre being located on a green area used by the local children for football and games. The proposed new state-of-the art Centre, for which Limerick City Council has provided a site, would accommodate in one building a number of services already supplied by the Limerick Youth Service in a number of other locations.
Local people contend that the green areas on the housing estate have been significantly reduced over the years and they argue that if this continues children living there will be left with nowhere safe to play.
Councillor for the northside, Michael Hourigan says that while he has no problem with the building proposed, its location on the green will leave just a limited amount of open space.
“There have been lots of meetings with the residents and 80% are opposed to its location and that concern must be considered as the residents will have to live with it – the city council must take this into account.’
Pointing out that there is “a lot of footfall into their housing estate by people making their way to Thomond Park, to the Health Centre and to the Church, Cllr Hourigan sad:
“A green area improves a locality We must take into consideration what the residents are saying.”
Cllr Tom Shortt, who also represents city north, emphasised the need for provision of facilities for young people.
“I am getting enormous support for the youth centre proposed for this green in Ballynanty Beg,” he said..
“There is enormous green space in the area. The idea is to mainly bring together the existing services run by the Limerick Youth Service for young people in the area and make them better services.
“The proposed new building is beautifully designed and I find it hard to listen here to the chair of the Joint Policing Committee, saying what he has.
“The aim is to put young people on the right road and provide young people on the northside with the facilities required.
“The Youth Centre in this location has my support – the Centre will work beautifully and will be an addition to this stretch of the northside of the city. It would be a shame not to spend the money allocated for this project, which is particularly needed in this region.”
Declaring that he had initially been completely in favour of the project, Cllr Cormac Hurley, who also represents the northside, admitted that he has had a change of heart.
“I’ve never encountered so much opposition to a project – I’ve heard no one in the area supporting it.
“Yesterday I saw eight youngsters playing football there and saw people working on their allotments there.”
Defending the general public’s right to “know more about the implications of the development on the local population” Cllr Orla McLoughlin said she wants to know more about it.
“We have to be very careful about where we put buildings,” she cautioned.
Senior planner, Kieran Reeves said that a meeting can be arranged between the residents and the councillors.
Calling for a site investigation, Cllr Joe Leddin asked that the councillors be fully briefed, especially in relation to a site evaluation..
