€115m town plan to go ahead

A MULTI-MILLION euro residential and business development on the outskirts of Nenagh, Co Tipperary, has been granted planning permission by Nenagh Town Council.

Developers Stereame Partnership plan to transform 38 hectares of land at the Limerick side of Nenagh, at Stereame, into a shopping, warehousing and residential area.

The decision to give the go-ahead for the €115m development of the site, which was rezoned as prime town centre land by Nenagh’s councillors in June 2002, was greeted with mixed reaction.

Stereame Partnership spokesman Michael Hogan said they were happy with the decision but added that charges and levies placed on the developer for the project, amounting to over €2.7m, would probably be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

“We are delighted the planners have considered our application favourably after a long consultative process,” said Mr Hogan.

Nenagh Chamber of Commerce, however, said it was totally opposed to the development. A spokesperson for the chamber said town-centre type development outside the town was a significant threat to the livelihood of its members.

Nenagh Civic Alliance, a group opposed to the project, issued a challenge to local councillors who support the Stereame development to debate the issues at a public meeting.

Tom O’Donoghue, spokesperson for the alliance, said the group would appeal the planning decision.

“We are confident in our arguments and wish to see the councillors emerge from the chamber and justify themselves face to face with the people of Nenagh,” he said.

The Stereame project could lead to a significant increase in Nenagh’s population with the building of 388 residential units and 38 sheltered housing units.

Employment could also benefit with the project facilitating retail warehousing; a seven-lane bowling alley; a garden centre; food and convenience stores; a drive-through restaurant; a bank automated teller machine; car parking for 655 shoppers; a four-screen cineplex; an 85-room hotel with leisure, function, restaurant and bar facilities; two creches, three motorshow rooms and 18 light industrial units.

The planning permission is subject to 61 conditions.

These stipulate that the developer will have to pay over €2.7m in levies and fees to the town council for the provision of sewerage, water and community services.