A LANDMARK city centre development has had its planning permission appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Permission was previously granted earlier this month for a student accommodation block at the former Railway Hotel on Parnell Street.
Limerick City and County Council gave the green light for 111 student bed spaces to be delivered under the plans from Signature Trustee Services and local businessman Mark McMahon, who had sought permission to convert the former hotel across from Colbert Station on Parnell Street.
Now, An Taisce have appealed the granting of permission which sees the development stalled until An Bord Pleanála decide whether to uphold the appeal or overrule it.
An Taisce’s objection focuses on four main areas, including resident amenity, insufficient integration with cycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and inappropriate height of the proposed development.
The charity – who work to conserve Ireland’s built heritage – have concerns around the numbers of people who will live in the building once it is complete and say that there will not be enough outdoor social space provided as part of the development.
According to their appeal letter: “It is not good enough to say that the residents can treat the Peoples’ Park or the stone benches on the adjacent railway station forecourt as their main outdoor social space.”
The charity also appealed the development on the grounds that the proposed height is too tall and will have an “adverse impact on the city’s amenity and public realm”.
Another cause for concern by An Taisce is the arrangement of windows in the new development, which they say is “entirely at odds” with the surrounding buildings.
“In particular, the proposed proportions of windows and doors are at odds with other major buildings in the area,” the appeal letter said.
The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanála by the end of November.
