LABOUR Party councillor Joe Leddin has confirmed that a housing application for the construction of 384 residential units in Ballykeeffe, Raheen has been submitted to the planning department in Limerick City and County Council.
DW Raheen Developments Ltd are seeking a ten-year permission for a strategic housing development on a 10.44 hectare site, which will comprise of 202 houses and 182 duplex apartments. Located to the rear of Inis Mor and Inis Lua housing estates, it was formerly identified as a possible location for a neighbourhood park by the former Limerick County Council.
The site is greenfield land that is enclosed by existing residential development to the south and east, the R510 to the west and open land to the north. Access to the site is provided by an existing entrance off a roundabout on the R510 regional road.
City West representative Cllr Joe Leddin said that while he supports the need for more houses, he wants the developers to facilitate a public consultation process with local residents to ensure that issues such as privacy, lighting etc from proposed duplex apartments, does not negatively impact on existing houses and homeowners.
The proposed development consists of 202 houses, including two, three and four-bed houses and 182 apartments, together with a new childcare facility with 79 places.
Strategic Housing Development (SHD) applications are approved or rejected by An Bord Pleanála following consultation with the relevant local authority. The process enables developers looking to build in excess of 100 units to seek planning permission within a 16-week timeframe from the date the application is submitted and accepted as a valid application.
“Under the SHD process the CEO of the Council must prepare a report for Council to consider in terms of supporting amending or rejecting the application. This special meeting will also enable local councillors have their say on the proposed application prior to a final decision being made by An Bord Pleanála,” Cllr Leddin explained.
“The lands at Ballykeeffe are strategically located with close access to the Dock Road, Fr Russell Road and Mungret. Limerick City and County Council also own approximately 21 acres of land adjacent to the old railway line which could also be developed as a recreational amenity for wider community.”
Further details on the application here
