Building space for social, affordable housing needed

limerick | miscellaneous | news report Saturday July 19, 2003 17:52 by Ailín

The site of the former Limerick Clothing Company factory at present up for sale should be purchased by Limerick City Council for social and affordable housing, the local branch of Republican Sinn Féin said today.

RSF local election candidate Seán O'Neill from Rosbrien said the Edward Street site is ideal for new housing as it is within walking distance of the city centre.

"We are now calling on the Limerick City Council to buy the site and draw up plans for inner city affordable housing unit," he said.

"The area is ideal for such housing and is a prime site for development. People from the surrounding parts would move back and there would be a very positive impact made on the present Council housing list.

"The area was once home to many hundreds of local families whose parents and grandparents lived in the lanes of Limerick.

"The development of the former Clothing Factory site would re-generate the entire Edward Street area and lead to a re-vitalisation of inner city life with a new sense of community spirit.

"The time is now ripe for the City Council to act and we are now calling for a feasibility plan for the site with a view to developing a new village type housing estate in Edward Street.

"The site is also within walking distance of the city centre and it would be ideal for people without any transport - and indeed for elderly people on limited means."