LIMERICK Chamber welcomed the submission of a planning application by the Land Development Agency (LDA) for the redevelopment of the old Gasworks site in Limerick City.
According to the Chamber, the proposed development, comprising 285 apartments, represents exactly the type of vision the city centre needs to combat the housing crisis.
However, the Chamber cautioned that pace of delivery must drastically accelerate, suggesting the time taken to reach this stage has been too long and, unless future projects advance more swiftly, the benefits will be delayed.
“The Gasworks planning application is a hugely positive step for Limerick, and we commend the LDA for progressing this project. The scale and density proposed are exactly what our city needs to tackle the housing crisis and provide affordable homes for workers,” said Limerick Chamber CEO Michelle Gallagher.
“However, it is critical that delivery timelines are accelerated. Limerick’s employers and employees cannot afford further delays – we need to see these homes built and available at pace.”
The Chamber’s recent Employee Housing Survey highlighted the acute demand for affordable housing in Limerick, with 94 per cent of employees expressing a desire to own a home and affordability ranking as their top priority.
The Chamber said it supports the proposed tenure mix of 90 per cent cost rental and urges allocations remain unchanged.
While raising some practical considerations around a severe lack of parking provision, retail, and crèche space, the Chamber stressed that these issues should not detract from the urgent need to proceed with construction.
