CONCERNS have been raised by local residents about the density and scale of a proposed development at the South Court Hotel.
The proposed Can2Investments development will consist of the partial demolition of the building currently in use by the South Court Hotel and the construction of a seven-storey mixed use development comprised of 104 apartments, including 51 one-bed apartments, 49 two-bed apartments, and four three-bed apartments.
With two basement levels, giving a total of nine levels, it will also include a childcare facility as well as a gym, library, and two retail units.
Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler, who has raised the concerns among residents in the Raheen, Dooradoyle, and Mungret areas, believes this has potential to be a positive addition to the area if it better considers the environment around it.
“It’s great to see housing being delivered locally as there is a huge demand for them with increased employment in the area in places such as Analog, Eli Lily, and Regeneron,” Cllr Butler said.
However, the density and scale of this development, the City West representative (who lives close by) explained, has caused a huge amount of concerns locally.
“The main issue firstly is the traffic which, since September, has been a huge a problem, but particularly at this junction that supports access to one of the busiest shopping centres in Limerick, Courtfields Shopping Centre, the Courtfields estate itself, and the hotel.
“This junction is already clearly beyond capacity, coming onto the road that is dangerous to access with traffic coming down a steep hill at huge volumes. Recent traffic counts have about 15,000 vehicle movements a day on this road, which this road is not appropriate for, so the concerns are very valid,”
The other issue highlighted to Cllr Butler, he said, is the density and height of the development. In its current form, the former mayor believes, it is totally out of character with existing structures in the area.
“It will have a huge impact on the residents of Blackthorn and Courtfields in particular who neighbour the site, removing privacy for many homes.
“I think we have to be realistic here because we are in the middle of a housing crisis and so this development should be considered but not in its current form.
“I think it needs to be reduced by at least two floors. Nine floors inclusive of the basement floors is unheard of in Limerick suburbs. I would also feel that access via the Patrickswell road be considered as part of the development to ease pressures on the R510,” he concluded.
