Concern over opposition to retail centre

LIMERICK City Council have been warned their persistence in opposing a huge suburban shopping development will cost 2,000 jobs and €10 million in lost revenue.

The council has turned down an application by Chieftain Construction for a major extension to the Coonagh Cross shopping centre on the Ennis Road.

The head of the company, Ger O’Rourke, addressing members of the council’s planning strategic policy committee yesterday, said his proposed development would create more jobs than will be lost at Dell. He said his proposed development could also yield €1.25m in rates to the city council and planning contributions would come to €6m a year.