An Taisce has claimed that a Bord Pleanála decision giving the go- ahead to a €125 million development in the tiny Co Limerick village of Clarina will dwarf the village and lead to the growth of a car-based sprawl around Limerick city.
Yesterday, the appeals board granted planning permission to Coolmountain Ltd to develop a 34-acre site around Clarina, four miles to the west of Limerick city on the N69 route to Listowel.
The development, to be built over the next eight years, comprises a technology park, retail units, hotel, communal and community halls, childcare centre, offices and 196 housing units.
There are currently 39 houses in the village and the plan will see an 800 per cent increase in its population. The heritage officer with An Taisce, Mr Ian Lumley, said that the board's decision created an unwanted car-based commuter suburb of Limerick city.
"The decision replicates the same problems that we have seen around Dublin where developments are car-based. There is no public transport between Clarina and Limerick, whereas development around four rail lines leading out of Limerick has been completely unrealised," he said.
The appeals board granted planning to the development despite the opposition of An Taisce and the Clarina Residents Association.
In its decision, the board stated that it had regard to the designation of Clarina as a key settlement in the current Limerick County Development Plan and that the integrated development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity.
Ms Noreen Fitzgerald of the Clarina Residents Association said yesterday: "Clarina as we know it is finished. We are disappointed but not surprised by the decision. The development will destroy our village and Clarina will lose its identity. It will become a dormer town for Limerick where new people here will know nothing about its history or heritage.
"There is no unemployment here and we have all the facilities we want. I know that some people here with land to sell and business people will be happy, not everyone was against it."
Ms Fitzgerald said the association would ensure the 18 conditions attached to the decision by the appeals board were implemented.
However, Mr Tim Walsh, managing director of Coolmountain Ltd, said he was delighted with the decision. "We hope to commence work on the project next spring. Already 50 per cent of the development has been sold off the plans."
Mr Walsh said the development would provide a much-needed boost to the village. "Clarina has been in severe decline for a number of years, it doesn't even have a post office, and this development is in line with the Government's spatial strategy advocating regional-based development."
