A PLANNED student accommodation development on the outskirts of Limerick City has had its planning permission quashed by An Bord Pleanála.
A&R Supplies was previously granted permission by Limerick City and County Council to demolish its existing showroom on the Pennywell Road, directly behind the TUS Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) last September.
The approved plans would have seen 122 student bed spaces created in 19 apartments spread over three to seven storeys within walking distance of the college’s Clare Street campus and the city centre.
Now, following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála by residents of the area, the planning permission for the new student development has been quashed by the planning appeals board.
According to An Bord Pleanála (ABP), the development in its proposed form would “detract from the adjacent ACA (Architectural Conservation Area)”.
ABP upheld that the development would be “detrimental to the distinctive architectural and historic character of the area,” adding that the development would “be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
An objection was lodged by a local resident who said that if the development were to go ahead, it would impact on privacy and light to the homes on Roxtown Terrace, and that the height of the new student accommodation block would be “detrimental” to the local area.
However, ABP said that the decision to rescind permission was based only on the impact the new block would have on the existing architectural heritage of the area, and not the issue of overshadowing on the neighbouring buildings, or the scale of the building in an established residential area, which were grounds of appeal for locals.
ABP said that the degree of overshadowing that the new accommodation would create was “acceptable” and that the density of the accommodation was not considered to be unacceptable, given the city centre location.
