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

The Clancy Strand saga rumbles on!

“Nature” blamed for building collapse

A developer has described any suggestion by those opposed to his plans for Clancy Strand that he would structurally weaken a building which he owns on the road pending approval from An Bord Pleanala as “outrageous”.

This week the top right hand corner of a three storey building on Clancy Strand, known as Curragour House, caved in and Limerick City Council has ordered the demolition of the building, which one local architect sought to be put on the list of protected structures.

Developer Gerard Wall owns the three historic buildings on Clancy Strand – Jacksons Turret, Strandville and Curragour House – which he sought to demolish for the construction of a €10 million residential development on the site. Jacksons turret has now been protected as a listed building, and An Bord Pleanala is due to come to a decision on the development in May.

But Mr Wall denied he had contributed to the collapse, saying the building had long been in a state of decay. “This has nothing to do with me. This is nature. It’s irrelevant whether the building is demolished now or later. Its irrelevant to the application.” he said.

Mr Wall added that the building was subject to an engineering investigation by White Young Green who said they considered the house structurally unsound. The report states that the property was only inspected partially inside due to structural disintegration. It states that the central timber staircase has collapsed.

Mr Wall said the roof to the rear of the property had also collapsed. The fact that it had begun to collapse was “no surprise” he said.

Speaking to the Limerick Leader, Dick Tobin, senior planner with the city council, said he assumed the building had collapsed and now constituted a danger to public safety, as the house bordered a busy road. “If that wall is bad, then it could easily collapse, and there is work taking place across the way” said Mr Tobin by means of explanation for the collapse. “It should be declared dangerous. In fact we will be demanding that the fire brigade knocks it down.”

Flan Brennan, Limerick City fire brigade said, it will investigate the buildings structures before any demolition occurred.

As part of the objections to Mr. Wall’s development of 41 apartments on Clancy Strand, An Bod Pleanala was told that this building should have been placed on the list of protected structures, along with Jackson’s Turret.

An Bord Pleanala is due to reach a decision on the development on May 21st and the fire brigade has yet to confirm if and when the demolition will be carried out.

Limerick Leader 8/3/08

The headline is just a tad sensationalist, what has happened is a portion of the top floor of the house at the corner of the gable and front elevation has given way just below the roof line. If you believe the article, the building cant come down soon enough as far as Limerick City Council are concerned! Although this should come as little surprise given how supportive they are of the flawed development proposed for the site.

Its seems theres an interesting precedent to the current application. In 2004, another developer received permission to build an apartment block on the site of Curragour House. The decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by none other than Ger Wall, (who is now proposing a similar development at the same location) on the grounds that;

1. The Appellants’ dwelling including living room windows which face over the site.
2. Excessive scale of development proposed, with a 4-storey building and a plot ratio of 1.9; serious over-development of the site is proposed.
3. There is inadequate amenity open space within the development; open space primarily comprises the car parking areas.
4. The proposed development results in serious injury to the amenity of the appellants’ property, by means of overlooking, proximity of car parking, noise.
5. Development constraints on the site, including requisite separation distance from appellants’ property means that the proposal cannot be accommodated.

Strangely, these issues no longer seem to bother Mr. Wall!.:confused: The report of the ABP inspector totally rubbished Limerick City Councils original decision;

The proposed apartment building, by reason of its design, scale, height,density and visual and physical setting in close proximity to existing dwellings, and which is deficient in terms of the provision of communal open
space, would result in an excessive form of development on the site, would seriously injure the character and amenities of existing residential development in its vicinity by reason of noise, disturbance and loss of privacy, and would provide a substandard form of residential amenity for the future occupants thereof. The proposed development would set an undesirable precedent for similar development of infill sites in this vicinity, would seriously injure the amenities of the area. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper
planning and sustainable development of the area.

No Building Condition survey has been submitted, nor requested by the Planning Authority. I do not share the conclusion of the Planning Authority that demolition of the dwelling is acceptable in view of the fact that it is not a Protected Structure; it is unfortunate that no Report of the Conservation Officer of the Planning Authority was sought nor received.

The external form of the building is neither derelict nor even semi-derelict, the external walls and roof appear to be in relatively good condition. Rather, its brick finish contributes to its prominence on the riverfront.

Its ridiculous to think that the planning office find the construction of a plastic box preferable to the restoration of an historic, attractive georgian townhouse in what is a very sensitive location.

Images of Curragour house are pretty hard to come by, this is the best I could find (from photobucket) Curragour House is the 3 storey building on the extreme left below.