The €48 million redevelopment plan for Limerick's rugby ground, Thomond Park, has been given the green light
Members of Limerick City Council last night voted unanimously to approve the rezoning of property beside the existing ground.
All 13 councillors who attended a special meeting in City Hall voted in favour of the proposals, which will see houses on the Knocklisheen Road side of the stadium rezoned to accommodate the project.
Only one person objected to the rezoning aspect of the project, which involves more than doubling the capacity at Thomond Park to 29,000. Gerard Kiely, who lives near Thomond Park, at Hassetts Cross, claimed the light in his apartment, which only has two front windows, would be "severely restricted" if he is to be overshadowed by the proposed new stand.
Mr Kiely, a taxi driver who works mostly at night, also cited increased noise levels and parking difficulties in his objection.
At last night's council meeting, Limerick city councillors insisted that the plans for Thomond Park were supported by 99.99 per cent of Limerick people.
"Out of the thousands of people living near Thomond Park, we have only one objection, which says a lot for our city," said Cllr John Cronin (FF).
Cllr Kieran O'Hanlon (FF) contrasted the support for Thomond Park with the many objections to the redevelopment plans for Landsdowne Road in Dublin.
Cllr Gerry McLoughlin (Labour), a former Irish rugby international, said the redevelopment of Thomond Park would secure Limerick's reputation as the "sporting capital of Ireland".
Former mayor Cllr Diarmuid Scully (FG) said the increased capacity of Thomond Park would guarantee that Heineken Cup matches - which generate some €5 million for the local economy - would continue to be played at the ground.
The plans by the Munster branch of the IRFU will see Thomond Park's existing East and West stands demolished and new stands built in their place.