Councillors unhappy as LDA moot plans for 250 apartments in Limerick City

DISGRUNTLED councillors have hit out at the Land Development Agency (LDA) following a private briefing with the local authority regarding plans for a housing development on Upper Carey’s Road in Limerick City, claiming it has raised more questions than it answered.Local representatives were not happy after their meeting with the LDA last Monday (April 7) after plans for the former Guinness site failed to include any provision for affordable purchase homes aimed at aspiring homeowners who cannot afford a home at open market value.Councillors told the Limerick Post the LDA briefing instead focused on the delivery of 250 cost rental apartments as part of its Colbert Quarter development proposals, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council (LCCC).

Cost rental is a new housing tenure created under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, offering a long-term, secure rental option. The rent on these units is based on the cost of building, managing, and maintaining the homes.Príomh Chomhairleoir of LCCC, Cllr Dan McSweeney, this week deemed the LDA’s omission of affordable purchase homes in their plans for the city centre site as “deeply concerning”.



“To date, the Council has delivered just 25 affordable purchase homes in the Metropolitan District. This is wholly inadequate and, going forward, it is essential that all development sites include a good tenure mix to include a meaningful allocation of affordable purchase homes to ensure housing options for everyone who wishes to live in Limerick,” the Fine Gael man said.Cllr McSweeney’s party colleague, Cllr Sarah Kiely, raised serious concerns about the plans outlined by the LDA for the Upper Carey’s Road site.

What has been proposed, she claimed, is “absolutely poles apart” from what was originally mooted.“What is proposed is 250 cost rental apartments, no houses, no home ownership, no answer on how this development would be managed,” Cllr Kiely told the Limerick Post.“We want houses in keeping with our communities and to encourage active citizenship.

To make sure we all have good neighbours at all stages of life.“Being surrounded by a circle to combat loneliness and provide a purpose. Planning these neighbourhoods is vital for success.

It must be about balance and inclusion,” the City East representative insisted.Cllr Kiely believes the LDA’s plans for Upper Carey’s Road are not in keeping with the surroundings or sympathetic to one of the oldest areas of housing in the city.“We could all name apartment blocks in the city where communal areas are problematic and difficult to navigate.

The quickest way to cause problems is to not plan and strategically prepare what is appropriate,” the Fine Gael councillor claimed.“We were promised houses in Carey’s Road with a community space, something we were in favour of — now we are looking at 250 apartments nobody will ever own to tick a box for density.”Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin claimed the former Guinness site is a classic example of why we are experiencing a housing crisis “despite its location in the heart of the city with access to all essential amenities”.

“The site has been in public ownership for 30 years, during which time no real effort was made by the council to build much-needed houses,” he hit out.“Since the establishment of the Land Development Agency several years ago, ownership of the site was transferred from the Council on the assumption that the LDA had the necessary resources and money to design and build a housing scheme.“Sadly, arising from our meeting with the LDA last week, we will be waiting a minimum of five more years before any construction takes place.

”The Labour man said that councillors were told that “provisional designs proposed provide for 250 cost rental apartments on the Carey’s Road site with no option for locals, young couples, or those looking to downsize to purchase”.“There are several LDA sites across the city that could, if there was enough political pressure, deliver hundreds of houses and apartments to meet our growing population.”‘Inclusivity is vital’Independent councillor Maria Donoghue, on the other hand, supported the LDA’s update on the proposed transformation of the brownfield site.

However, the City West representative urged the LDA to actively engage with the elected representatives to ensure transparency and effective communication.“As we confront the pressing challenge of housing affordability and availability, it is imperative that this development not only meets the immediate needs of our growing population but also reflects a diverse mix of housing types, sizes, and tenures,” she said.Cllr Donoghue added that “such inclusivity is vital for fostering a vibrant and sustainable community, where individuals and families can thrive together”.

“Furthermore, it is crucial that this development incorporates community mixed-use buildings and spaces, promoting not just living areas but also education, local commerce and social interaction”When contacted by the Limerick Post, a spokesperson for the LDA said that, in partnership with LCCC, it is continuing to advance plans to transform the Colbert Quarter area of the city.“Following the appointment of a design team for Carey’s Road, a number of different tenure typologies have been identified,” the LDA said.“Councillors were briefed on a range of options at a meeting last week and a workshop for councillors and the executive of Limerick City and County Council has been scheduled for later this month.

”The LDA also revealed that it is progressing plans for affordable purchase homes in Mungret. The design team is currently working towards a first phase of 99 houses, a public plaza, and enabling infrastructure.“Design works are also underway for a new residential development at Limerick’s Docklands with the potential to deliver almost 290 new affordable homes.

The proposed homes will include a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments across three blocks. Landscaped gardens, green open areas, and retail units will also be included in the plans.”The LDA said that, following the submission of a planning application in the coming months, construction could begin in 2027.

The LDA spokesperson added that “as part of its Homebuilder Partnership with Cairn, the LDA delivered 81 cost rental homes at The Mills in Castletroy in January this year”.“There were over 1,600 applications for the apartments, with rents starting from as low as €990 for a one bed. As of last week, 71 of the apartments are lease agreed and 52 are occupied.

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