Developer resubmits plans for housing estate near otter holts in Limerick City

Connect Investments Limited wants to build 46 houses and 59 apartments at Rivers Road in Castletroy

The environmental report didn't make it clear that otter holts or active breeding holts were not located near the site. 

Fresh plans for housing development in Limerick City, which was previously refused permission because of a concern for otters living near the site, have been submitted to the local authority.

Connect Investments Limited was refused permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála for 107 homes at Rivers Road, Ballyclogh Townland, Castletroy, to the east of Limerick City, in April of this year. 

It was refused because a planning inspector noted there was a lack of information in an accompanying environmental report about how the species of otter that lives in the River Shannon area of special conservation might be affected by the development.

The development plans resubmitted to the local authority in October consist of 105 residential units and a two-storey creche. There will be 46 two-storey, three- and four-bedroom homes and 59 apartments in four- to five-storey blocks.

The application is at pre-validation stage, and a copy of the latest environmental report has not been posted online.

Limerick County Council approved the first application last November despite 18 objections by local residents, who cited traffic congestion, anti-social behaviour and a lack of community facilities as reasons why the development should not proceed.

Three objectors who went on to successfully appeal the decision to the planning board expressed a specific concern for the height of the planned five-storey apartment building, with one saying there was "no precedent" for buildings of this height in the local area. 

However, these individuals had "no objection in principle" to the provision of more housing.

The planning inspector accepted that the apartment block would "represent a significant change" from its current greenfield site state but reasoned overlooking and overshadowing would not be a problem as the apartment block was designed to be 47 metres from the nearest dwelling.

However, he overturned the grant of permission because it was not clear from the data provided in a screening report for an appropriate assessment whether there were any otter holts, including active breeding holts, within 150 metres of the site.