Nick Rabbitts, 14 Nov
UNIVERSITY of Limerick (UL) officials have secured planning permission
to change the zoning of its city centre campus and welcome up to 710
students.
Limerick City and County Council has approved the change of use of the
former Dunnes Stores building in Sarsfield Street from its existing use
as retail to educational.
Essentially a procedural change, it means the college can now ramp up
activity at the building which was purchased in 2019.
Prior to this, the complex had lain largely idle since the summer of
2008 when Dunnes went from having three city centre stores to just one.
In documents provided to the council, agents for UL state: “The
proposed change of use will facilitate the principle of flexible
learning.”
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They confirmed no sole college department will move into the city
centre site.
Rather, they add, the university does expect there to be "constant
footfall" in the space and some students and staff could be permanently
located there from its main campus in Plassey, or located there in
blocks.
In response to a request for further information from local planners,
representatives for the college added that based on the available seat
numbers in the Sarsfield Street campus, up to 710 students will be able
to be accommodated.
Permission was given subject to five conditions.