The announcement of the Land Development Agency (LDA) submitting a planning application for what is known locally as the old ‘Gasworks site’ on the Dock Road is more welcome news. My thanks to John Coleman and his team and colleagues at Limerick City and County Council driving this forward.
The early stages of this project date back to my own time as Chair of the LDA. I’ve long believed in the potential of the Docklands to better serve the public good by unlocking lands for housing. It is heartening to see a project there reach a key milestone even if there is still a way to go.
285 potential new homes at such a strategic site would be another piece of the large jigsaw we are developing of similar projects in housing, infrastructure and other areas all across Limerick city and county.
I do not want to minimise the scale of the challenge to catch up on the build-up of deficits in housing delivery over recent years, but moving forward is critical.
Delivering housing in Limerick has been, is and will continue to be my number one priority. This site, along with other LDA lands, is now monitored by the new governance arrangements we have put in place since last June to speed up delivery.
I now look forward to working with all stakeholders - especially local and intended new residents - to try and ensure that these new homes are delivered swiftly and to the highest possible standard.
More for Limerick.