Andrew Carey
OBJECTORS to a €100M property development that will incorporate a large retail shopping centre say that it is not a viable option for Limerick and will further decimate life and retail activity in the city centre.
Chairperson of the Limerick City Business Association is Helen O’Donnell of the Hunt Museum cafe and she says that a detailed and comprehensive document outlining the main objections to the Dublin Road development has been lodged to the planning office.
In it she says the signatures, made up of all the main retailers from within the city, outline their objections and their fears for Limerick.
“All the main retailers in the city have signed up to this – it’s a very comprehensive document being prepared on behalf of those signatories and it is very practical in terms of looking at the city centre and looking at the viability of what is happening in the city and then looking at the outskirts.
Ms O’Donnell further said that the group is committed to the objection and committed to protecting and rebuilding life in the city centre, both social and economical.
“We have put a lot of energy into it” she said.
The LCBA, made up of more than 60 businesses in the city environs, have objected to the €100M Horizon Mall development planned by international developer Suneil Sharma.
The development is estimated to create up to 500 construction jobs and 1,500 retail positions should it go through the planning stage successfully.
The Belfast based developer had been involved in the proposed Opera site development a number of years ago before he sold on his interest prior to his acquisition of the former Parkway Valley site.
Sharma is now the main force behind the Dublin Road development where it is proposed to have three main anchor tenants, up to 50 retail outlets and 1,650 parking spaces.
Having taken over the full equity control of the site after agreeing a deal with National Irish Bank when the Zoe Group collapsed, Sharma says that he is one of the very few developers in the country with access to funds willing to take on the challenge in Limerick.
Objections to his proposals will be read and heard before a decision is made come the end of 2014.
