Planners make decision over new shopping centre in Limerick

NATIONAL planners have refused permission for a new commercial development in the heart of Limerick.

Developers were planning to build a two-storey shopping mall at a site in the city centre vacant since the mid-2000s.

Under the plans, Multi-Storey (Limerick), a firm headquartered on the city’s riverside, was seeking to build nine units over two floors at the junction of Anne Street and Thomas Street.

The site was once home to Finucane’s Electrical, which moved to the suburbs in 2006, with its old city centre premises demolished a year later.

The area has been largely unused since.

According to a blueprint submitted to council, the new retail units would have measured between 44 square metres and 75 square metres.

Four units would have been on the first floor, five on the ground floor, and these would have been built next to an existing retail unit which houses a hairdresser.

It was envisaged that a mall would link the first floor units.

Council rejected the application, with its planners pointing to policies which support “high quality mixed-use developments which include residential uses”.

They added the proposal does not meet national, local or regional planning objectives.

However, Multi-Storey (Limerick) appealed this decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála, formerly An Bord Pleanala.

They pointed to the fact the firm owns the adjacent buildings in Anne Street and Thomas Street which are fully occupied.

The firm also stated providing a larger development would be very high, with the proposal not “sustainable or cost-effective.”

“They are a family business and do not have the resources to provide a four to five multi-storey development on this small site,” a summary published by the An Coimisiún Pleanála adds.

The applicant insisted there would be strong demand for the small units.

Its representatives stated the firm is constantly being contacted for smaller units for “more indigenous local business which should be encouraged by the council.”

“The applicant knows what is viable in Thomas Street,” it is added.

One of the other reasons the council refused permission was because the proposed shopping centre did not have a residential element to it.

In response to this, Multi-Storey (Limerick) altered the design so one of the units would house a two-bedroom apartment.

Despite this, the Commission upheld the decision made by Limerick City and County Council.

They stated the development would be “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

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Planners make decision over new shopping centre in Limerick

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