Limerick Citizens launch concersn over UL expansion

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday July 18, 2002 12:29 by Nancy L. Serrano/Mark O'Connor - Protect Plassey Campaign nancy.l.serrano at ul dot ie

Limerick Citizens have been meeting to voice concerns over the proposed expansion of the UL campus over the historical beauty spot, "the Plassey"

Last Thursday evening, July 11th, a public meeting was held in Halla Íde on Thomas St. in Limerick City by the Protect Plassey Campaign. The meeting was well attended and most people there were very worried about the damage that the future UL Clare-campus could cause to flooding in Limerick City, and the tourist fishing industry along the Shannon. Former Limerick Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon was present and offered his support to the campaign as he is very familiar with the place and has a love of Plassey.

“The original Environmental Impact Statement carried out a flooding survey on the bridge and the student village, but does not include other buildings which UL plan to build, including a nursing school, arts centre and environmental science building. “ said Nancy L. Serrano, spokesperson for the campaign. “The cumulative effect of building on this flood plain must be calculated, before Limerick Corporation and the tax payer end up picking up the tab on expensive flood relief schemes,” she added. Concerned citizens at the meeting referred to the experience in Clonmel and building on the river Suir floodplains which now needs a €38 million flood relief scheme. It was also revealed during the meeting that no correspondence had ever taken place between Limerick County Council and Limerick Corporation concerning future effects of building on Shannon flood plains.
(http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2002/0705/421592701HM2CLONMELFLOOD.html - or do a search for clonmel +floods on Ireland.com)

Alternatives to campus expansion into Clare were also raised. Most people at the meeting were not against UL and its invaluable contributions to Limerick, but felt that loosing Plassey was too much of a compromise. “Many alternatives were never seriously considered by UL, such as locating its playing pitches on its land on the Clare side. UL could then expand to the east on its current playing pitches.” Said Mark O’Connor member of UL Environmental Society. It was also explained how UL had decided that it could not build to its west due to there being flood plains around the Groody river, and yet it had no problem on building on Clare flood plains.

The meeting also dealt with the two aspects of the Protect Plassey Campaign; the legal path and publicity campaigns to try to raise more awareness around Limerick city and county. Protect Plassey Campaign are still poised to take a legal case to the high court to challenge the illegality of building on a Special Area of Conservation on the Limerick side of the campus. The publicity campaign will start off with the Plassey Picnic on Sunday the 21st of July, at the riverside at Plassey from 2-6 PM. There will be boat rides, tree walks, face painting, bird watching, a barbeque, tug-o-wars, music and much more! It’s all free, and donations are welcome. Other up-coming publicity events include a fundraising gig with local musicians, and a Plassey Parade.

Further information on the campaign can be obtained from our website - photos available for download.