A CITY centre apartment block, previously given the go-ahead by Limerick City and County Council, has now gone to An Bord Pleanála following an objection to the approved plans.
An Taisce has lodged an appeal against the development of 21 residential units in an eight-storey block on James Street and Upper Mallow Street, saying the unit will “sunder the relationship of this street with the People’s Park”.
Council planners gave Pairc na Doine Limited the green light for the 21 unit development earlier in July of this year.
The development would consist of three studio apartments, 15 one-bedroom apartments, and three two-bed apartments.
Demolition of an existing building on James Street also formed part of the plans.
The new building will also consist of a communal area in the basement, along with internal cycle storage, bin storage, and plant room.
Now, An Taisce’s appeal means the development moves to An Bord Pleanála, which will delay the project until at least December.
Among the reasons for the objection are the size and scale of the building, with An Taisce saying that the development would amount to “an opportunistic breaking of a well established street line” on Mallow Street/Pery Street.
The trust argues that the height of the proposed development is not in keeping with the heights of neighbouring buildings.
They also submit that the building will impact on the sunlight that neighbouring two-storey properties on James Street benefit from.
In a detailed submission, An Tasice said that the proposals should be considered in tandem with another neighbouring property that is also the subject of the planning process, the former Railway Hotel on Parnell Street.
An Taisce have also lodged an appeal against the Railway Hotel development, which would provide 111 student bed spaces in the city centre. This too is currently before An Bord Pleanála.
“An Taisce submits that the massing of the project should be considered fully in relation to its near neighbour, the Railway Hotel and apartments project,” the submission said.
An Bord Pleanála are due to make a decision on An Taisce’s appeal of the Railway Hotel project by late November, while Pairc na Daoine’s application is due to be decided by December 18.
