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Home arrow News arrow Local News arrow City heritage group to appeal boatclub plan
City heritage group to appeal boatclub plan E-mail
Written by Rachael Finucane   
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
MEMBERS of Thomond Archaeological Society will lodge an appeal with an Bord Pleanala this week against the planning permission granted by Limerick City Council earlier this month to redevelop Limerick Boat Club. The council approved the €20 million plans by Fordmount Developments to put a new modern building and club facilities on Wellesley Pier but now the project—welcomed by many council members and the club itself—will face a fresh challenge. Labour local election candidate for the northside, Tom Shortt, said that he is “coming out in support of that appeal and asking Limerick people to wake up even at this late stage to the shocking decision made by Limerick City Council to conspire with a developer to demolish a beautiful building and a valuable example of the city's architectural social and sporting heritage”. Mr Shortt said that the decision taken by councillors to de-list the existing clubhouse and re-zone the site is “unprecedented” and “demonstrates a shocking lack of commitment to the conservation of the architectural heritage of the city”. He claimed that not all options besides demolition were considered, despite advice from the council’s conservation architect that the existing building did not have significant historical value and had been badly damaged by improvement work over the years. “That councillors did not insist on the option to retain the walls of the 19th century boatclub within the new development, as a condition when awarding planning permission leaves them looking like a bunch of Brian Lenihans unable to research the issues properly even when the information was handed to them,” he said. At the recent council meeting, McCann Moore Architects said that bricks from the clubhouse would be recycled and incorporated into the new design. Mr Shortt said that the society was also objecting on the grounds that the building “will obstruct traditional and popular views of the river Shannon while overshadowing the 1916 memorial on Sarsfield Bridge”. McCann Moore made extensive changes to the design in conjunction with city planners and said that the plans aim to regenerate the area and accentuate existing surroundings. Mr Shortt said that he felt that “councillors caved in to a tantrum from the developer when he threatened to abandon the project and emotional blackmail from the boat club saying that this was their only opportunity for modern facilities”. Many councillors emphasised that one of the main reasons for granting permission was that Limerick Boat Club badly needed new facilities—and had limited options besides a private deal. Councillors will continue to work with planners and developers, retaining a strong input into the project including what materials will be used in the exterior of the proposed building.

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