Sole objector could kick €40m Thomond plans into touch

THE €40 million Thomond Park rugby stadium in Limerick faces a further possible planning delay, despite being granted planning permission.

A sole objector, whose concerns were turned down by Limerick City Council, has the option of seeking an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

A planning appeal process, however, could take up to several months to determine.

Local councillor Kevin Kiely last night said he was prepared to act as an intermediary between the IRFU, the planning authority and the objector — who he knows personally — to help resolve the matter.

The last game at Thomond Park before its planned redevelopment, takes place next weekend, when Munster entertain Leicester in the Heineken Cup, on January 20.

The IRFU had planned to move builders on site without delay — in order to complete the huge redevelopment for the commencement of the 2007/08 Heineken Cup campaign.

Limerick City Council granted planning permission, but a sole objector could hold up the project — if he decides to appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

To comply with planning requirements, meanwhile, the city council will have to rezone a housing site at Knockalisheen Road, Ballynanty, from residential to commercial use to allow for the redevelopment.

A 75% approval vote by elected members of the city council is needed to effect this rezoning, and the proposal will be brought before the monthly meeting of the council next Monday.

Mr Kiely was confident proposal would be passed allowing the council to give the green light for the new stadium.

“The single objection from a local resident relates to loss of light and parking issues,” Mr Kiely said.

Offering to act as a go-between to avoid the project being referred to the appeals’ board, Mr Kiely said: “I know the person and this person lives directly in front of where the new stand would be located. I would imagine this could be sorted out without resorting to An Bord Pleanála, a process that could hold the development up for five or six months.”

The IRFU acquired 16 terraced houses at Knockalisheen Road for a figure believed to be in the region of €4m to make space for the 29,000 capacity stadium.

Limerick City Council have offered alternative accommodation to a number of its tenants who live in council-owned houses at Knockalisheen Road.