Talks on plans for heritage village

COMMUNITY leaders in Adare will today meet with planners at Limerick County Council to seek clarification on a planning approval for a three-storey development in the heritage village.

The development will include a mix of private residences, retail units and a nursing home.

Adare Community Council says the council indicated last June that such a development would not be allowed on the Rathkeale Road site.

The land bounds a 25-acre site given by Adare Manor for the development of a community recreation complex for the village. Three playing fields are at present being laid out.

Two members of Adare Community Council and one person from Adare recreation community complex will attend the talks.

Tony Sexton, chairman of the community council, said depending on today’s talks, they may lodge an objection with An Bord Pleanála. “We intend to go through our submission with the planners to try and get clarification why they have allowed a three-storey building go ahead on the site.

“Last June, the council said they would not allow any building on the site with an elevation of more than 8.5 metres. But they have now given approval for a three-storey building with an elevation in excess of 11m. There is also the issue of water pressure. During the summer the council visited houses in the village to test tap water in houses and we were told that boil notices might have to be introduced. Obviously that is a big concern if more houses are going up.”

He said the access road to the proposed development is also the access road to the recreation area.