Plans for Limerick apartments and creche rejected over noise concerns
Donal O'Regan
donal.oregan@limerickleader.ie
Bloomfield is an established development in Annacotty
A COUNCILLOR has expressed his disquiet that plans for apartments and a creche in Annacotty have been turned down due to noise.
Bloomfield Homes Ltd lodged an application for a three-storey apartment building comprising 35 one and two bedroom units to provide housing for elderly persons; a single-storey crèche; internal access road, car parking and landscaping.
In turning down the application, Limerick City and Council said: "It is considered that the proposed development, located in close proximity to the M7 motorway would seriously injure the amenities of future residents / occupants by way of noise and nuisance resulting from the proximity of the motorway, and as such would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."
Cllr Joe Pond, who resides in Annacotty, said he has never got a complaint of noise from those living in the established development of Bloomfield.
"I am very disappointed by this. We are always looking for facilities and a creche would be ideal. We have x amount of houses but the facilities aren't great in the whole area.
"We are encouraging people to leave bigger houses and come into smaller apartments and these ones designed for elderly persons would be ideal. I am disappointed they were turned down over noise. I am sure something can be done about that," said Cllr Pond, who is a former builder. Of the 35 apartments – 23 are two bedroom and 12 are one bedroom.
Included in the Bloomfield Homes proposal to the local authority were planning packages from structural engineers, architects, planning and acoustic consultants, who compiled a 30-page noise impact assessment
The executive summary of the noise impact report reads: "The assessment has determined that the internal noise environment within the sensitive areas of the development are predicted to be within the recommended criteria once the proposed mitigation measures was adopted.
"The external noise environment has also been assessed and it is concluded that the revised site layout as well as the incorporation of winter gardens to the balconies of the proposed apartment blocks, ensures that noise levels externally will fall within best practice guideline values."
Bloomfield Homes has appealed the council's decision on the development in Annacotty to An Bord Pleanala.
Cllr Pond said he hopes the planning board will overturn the council's decision.