Rezoning prompts fears for character of idyllic tourist village

A GOLD rush type sale of house sites in Adare has forced Limerick County Council to order an environmental study amid fears that overdevelopment could damage one of the country’s idyllic tourism villages.

A half-acre site was sold in the last year for €1.3 million. Local landowners, including the village GAA club, are sitting on tens of millions in potential assets following a move by Limerick County Council to rezone land near the village for housing.

However, planners in Limerick County Council have ordered a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), fearing overdevelopment could damage the character of the village and put undue pressure on water, sewerage and other services. The study will take up to nine months.