LIMERICK City and County Council are investigating whether a campervan advertised online as a short-term letting on the outskirts of the city is in breach of the local authority’s planning rules.
Amid widespread discussions around the cost and availability of both long and short-term accommodation, a campervan in Dooradoyle offering nightly accommodation is being advertised on booking website Booking.com.
The camper is located in the Ballykeeffe Estate in Dooradoyle and is being advertised as a “campervan experience” at a nightly rate of €87.
The owners of the campervan are offering bed and breakfast accommodation, with two beds and free WiFi and parking.
Commenting on the online posting, local independent councillor Fergus Kilcoyne says that residents in the area are “furious” that the camper is being advertised in a residential area.
“This is a long established residential area, not a public holiday camp site,” Councillor Kilcoyne opined.
Councillor Kilcoyne alleges that the camper is operating without the correct planning permission from Limerick City and County Council, the rules of which state that any short-term let within a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) requires clearance to be used as such.
All three of Limerick City’s local electoral areas are within pressure zones.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Councillor Kilcoyne said that the use of the campervan as a short-term letting is not acceptable in the area and is causing much outrage among residents.
“This is not acceptable. Strangers are walking into the end of the estate with suitcases at all times of the day and night, there is no planning permission for this type of development here – it’s purely a residential area.”
Former Mayor and Fine Gael councillor for the area, Daniel Butler, agreed that the campervan is in a “highly inappropriate location”.
“I was contacted by some concerned residents in relation to this as there are two units onsite, one in the driveway, and a campervan on the main road. These are both in a highly inappropriate location in a residential housing estate,” he said.
“Following those complaints made to me, I made a formal complaint to Limerick Council Planning Enforcement section. I can confirm that an investigation is currently active by Limerick Council following my contact, the results of which should be known next week,” councillor Butler concluded.
In a statement issued to the Limerick Post, Limerick City and County Council said that it is aware of the campervan and is looking into any potential breeches of planning rules.
“Planning Enforcement at LCCC have received a number of complaints regarding this matter and a case file has been opened on it,” a spokesman for the Council said.
The spokesman could not confirm to the Limerick Post whether the camper was operating with the correct planning permission, instead directing this reporter to the Council’s online planning enquiry platform.
The spokesman added that all complaints relating to unauthorised developments can be sent by e-mail directly to the Council on enforcements@limerick.ie.
