Re: Re: well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?
Greenpark plan set to face appeal (Limerick Leader)
By ANNE SHERIDAN 15 March 2007
http://www.limericktoday.com/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=3419&ArticleID=2126441
RESIDENTS in Ballinacurra are to object to An Bord Pleanala against the new multimillion euro housing development at the site of the former racecourse at Greenpark. The 353-unit residential development by Mark McMahon, chairman of Limerick Race Company and managing director of McMahon Timber, has been granted planning permission from Limerick City Council, despite 43 objections.
Mayor of Limerick Cllr Joe Leddin told the Limerick Leader he was annoyed that the planning officers did not inform the ward councillors that the development, which has been in the pipeline since 1999, had been granted planning permission on March 9.
Cllr Pat Kennedy said he was “very concerned that there’s a proper and harmonious development at the former racecourse”. He added: “I would expect that any conditions attached to the application would be adhered to and we will be keeping a close eye on matters. We are very concerned that the amenities are well planned and recreational facilities are provided. I will be talking to the residents association in the coming days and whatever their views, I will be supportive of those.”
According to one city councillor who did not wish to be named, there will be an appeal to An Bord Pleanala by residents.
Further planning applications for the 125- acre site, of which 38 acres are owned by the city council, are also anticipated. “We have already turned down a pre-application for a shopping centre. There has been a lot of too-ing and fro-ing over this development but it’s inevitable that something is going to be developed there because it’s one of the largest green sites in the city,” said Cllr Jim Long. Cllr Maria Byrne and Cllr Long agreed that the main concerns for residents who contacted was traffic congestion, which has now been resolved. “It was believed that traffic would be diverted onto the South Circular Road but that is not the case; it will be routed to the roundabout at the Dock Road,” said Cllr Long.
Cllr Byrne said the residents assocation have been in discussions with the racecourse company for a number of years and this “seems the best deal”. The mixed-use development includes a residential scheme and a neighbourhood centre incorporating a creche, retail unit, coffee shop, and doctor or dentist’s office, as well as parking for 725 vehicles. A major recreation amentiy area incorporating playing pitches, informal recreation areas, landscaped amenity areas, and parking for a further 100 vehicles, are planned. The number of affordable housing units as part of the development has not yet been disclosed.
Where will the future residents of the Greenpark shop? (Cresent or Coonagh shopping centres)
It will be intersesting to see if the Greenpark development will get a direct access route to the Cresent Shopping Centre via the South Circular Road / Dooradoyle Road. The former Greenpark race track is only a couple hundred metres as the crow flies from the shopping centre. Otherwise the residents who will live in the Greenpark close to the South Circular Road will have a very long roundabout way to the Cresent shopping centre via the Dock road. The planned Coonagh shopping centre on the other riverside will be easier for them to access!
