Limerick councillors have voted unanimously against plans to build modular homes in a city park.<\/p>\n
The councillors invoked emergency legislation to prevent Mayor John Moran’s proposals to develop up to 500 modular units at the Boro Park in Janesboro.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the vote at a special meeting of the council last night, Mayor Moran published a blog on his website in which he said Limerick must significantly ramp up housing delivery in the years ahead to keep pace with a growing population.<\/p>\n
He said the lands in Janesboro were zoned for high-density housing by councillors under the current Development Plan, and form part of the wider Colbert Quarter masterplan.<\/p>\n
“This is not a new or sudden proposal. It is part of a long-standing plan, shaped by experts, consultation and decisions taken by councillors themselves.<\/p>\n
“Residents deserve to see the full picture – what is proposed, what is not, and what the benefits could be for their community,” the mayor said.<\/p>\n
The plans had proven controversial, with many local residents opposed to the project on the only green space in Janesboro.<\/p>\n
Councillors were unified in their opposition and following a presentation of the proposals by the mayor at the meeting, they voted to invoke a Section 139 of the Local Government Act to block the SMART housing plans.<\/p>\n
It is a rarely used mechanism which allows councillors to formally instruct the council executive to stop a specific project.<\/p>\n
The resolution put together by councillors Sarah Kiely and pr\u00edomh chomhairleoir Catherine Slattery was passed by 39 votes to zero.<\/p>\n