Re: Re: well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?

It seems Regeneration Developments have been wooing the city councillors with a presentation of their plans for the opera centre!:rolleyes:

New plans for Opera Centre unveiled (Limerick Indepependent)

The main players behind the proposed Opera Centre presented new and improved plans to members of Limerick City Council this Monday in a bid to reactions and support for the project that aims to be the “crowning glory” in the regeneration of the city centre.

The main players behind the proposed Opera Centre presented new and improved plans to members of Limerick City Council this Monday in a bid to reactions and support for the project that aims to be the “crowning glory” in the regeneration of the city centre.
Some of the features of the massive 40,000 square foot will include three anchor stores, over 40 retail units, a rooftop garden and creche, a 220 seat food court and underground parking for 500 cars.

David Courtney of Regeneration Developments Ltd explained that controversial plans to incorporate the Granary, Bank Place and other parts of Ellen Street into the latest plans is for the good of the project.

“I’m sure that we’re all familiar with the current trend to locate supermarkets and large shopping centres out at the city limits. This has damaged the city centre and undermined other facilities there such as pubs and restaurants. The application we lodged five weeks ago are for a major commercial attraction that will draw a lot of people in. The sooner we can provide space for our many retailers there, the better.”

He acknowledged that all major developments have negative aspects but insisted that the company has assembled an exceptional team to ensure that “the significant benefits for the city will outweigh any negatives”.

The team will include top consultants and conservation architects; former Limerick City Architect, Jim Barrett; Nicholas De Jong and Associates and the firm behind the design of the Dundrum Shopping Centre—Ferguson, Wheeler, Douglas and Wallace (FWDW).

FWDW Director, Paul Ferguson, presented the plans to the Economic Policy Development and Future Planning Strategic Policy Committee outlining how it would be “the crowning glory of the Limerick City Centre regeneration” and “an exciting combination of elegance through the retained Georgian facades and cutting edge contemporary design”.

He added that the centre’s design will represent “a total contrast between new and old”.

The road on Ellen Street will be widened and all around the centre paving and other street elements will tie in with the rest of the city’s pedestrianised areas such as Bedford Row.

Cllr Kathleen Leddin led the positive reactions of her colleagues, congratulating the architects on plans to maintain some of the history and heritage of the area and for adjusting some aspects of the original plans such as the unusual sail style design on the main entrance..

Mayor Ger Fahy said that the flagship development would bring an exciting opportunity to the city and would cement Limerick’s reputatiuon as a “modern and vibrant European city”.

Cllr Kevin Kiely asked Mr Courtney if the company had negotiated with all the relevant stakeholders, particularly those in the Granary, which was recently added to the plans.

He responded that there are currently occupying tenants but it would “be premature to enter into negotiations until the current application is processed. It is our intention to meet with them”.

Limerick’s €350m Opera Centre revised plans: “bigger and better” (Limerick Leader)

“BIGGER and better” is how Dublin developer David Courtney described the revised application for the €350m Opera Centre, currently before City Hall.

Mr Courtney, 47, of the property company Spain Courtney Doyle and a director of Superquinn, is one of the six Irish businessmen who bought the mulitmillion euro company, Regeneration Developments, from four British investors last year.

“We’re very excited about this project. We think it’s great for Limerick to have a development of this magnitude. It reflects on the quality of the design that we can have interest from tenants in the current market, which is very difficult for developers,” he told the Limerick Leader following a presentation of the plans to city councillors this Monday.

When questioned if the British chain, Marks & Spencers, will be acquiring an outlet as already mooted by the chain themselves, Mr Courtney replied: “There’s good interest for many anchors, but it’s early days.

“We believe the current application will work to attract the anchors Limerick city needs and to rejuvenate the shopping experience. The previous scheme didn’t fit their requirements in terms of the space allocated. The first (application) did very well to get from where it was. This is the next incarnation of it,” he said.

Mr Courtney also confirmed that buildings on Ellen Street will have to be knocked to make way for the Mid-West’s biggest retail development.
An Bord Pleanala had previously ruled that these buildings should be repaired and preserved. However, Mr Courtney and Jim Barrett, a former Dublin city and Limerick city architect, said at the meeting that the buildings should have to be demolished.

Local architect Cait Ni Cheallachain is one of a number of objectors to the most recent application, and specifically outlines the future of these buildings in her objection to the planning department.

“This demolition to change the Georgian building line is not acceptable. The buildings were deemed to be important before, and they still are,” said Ms Ni Cheallachain.

When built in 2011 – pending planning permission for Limerick City Council and possibly An Bord Pleanala – the 40,000 square foot retail centre will include a 200-seat food court, 500 car parking spaces, 40 retail units and three anchor units over three levels, as well as a rooftop garden. A piazza or cafe area on Bank Place looking over the river is also part of the new designs.

A decision on the proposed development is due on July 13.

However Mr Courtney said he expected that the plans for the Opera Centre will again go before An Bord Pleanala.

Interesting to note how easily seduced Cllr Leddin was!:rolleyes: It has been reported elsewhere that one of the main reasons why the developers want to widen Ellen Street is to accomodate a service area. If Limerick City Council sanction the demolition of the Ellen Street buildings to facilitate this service area I think It’ll be the final nail in the coffin of proper planning in Limerick. The developers insistence that these buildings “have to be demolished” is absolutely laughable. The only reason they’re spouting this nonsense is to suit their own agenda, they couldnt be arsed repairing these buildings and instead want to inflict this substandard design on us to squeeze in a couple of extra square metres of retail space.

Even if LCC give this the go-ahead in its current form (which is extremely likely), its almost certain that it’ll go forward to An Bord Pleanala. This would add another year to the saga, something which is totally avoidable. I really cant understand Regeneration Developments logic here, their whole attitude smacks of sheer ignorance and arrogance. If only they would adhere to ABPs original stipulation a line could be drawn under this sorry saga.