Plans for a multi-million euro expansion of the Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, are to be resisted by Limerick City Council.

The extension plans, initially put forward last month, include Limerick's first-ever Marks & Spencer outlet and a seven-storey car park.

City councillors have objected to the development - which they fear would damage attempts to bring retail investment into the city centre - sparking a row with their county counterparts.

The two councils are already at odds over separate plans to extend the city boundaries and this fresh dispute looks set to heighten existing tensions.

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The Limerick Leader reports that the decision to try to block the project was prompted by City Cllr Kieran, who reportedly said: "County councillors have no commitment to the city. They all have their snouts in the trough taking what they can in rates. It's time we stood up and were counted."

The county council area of Caherdavin is soon set to be included in the city limits, following the transfer of part of Moyross last year. But county councillors are fervently opposed to giving up any land in the Dooradoyle, Raheen and Castletroy areas.

County Cllr Richard Butler told the Leader: "Would they be objecting to the development if Dooradoyle was in the city? Saying that they are trying to get people back into the city centre is nonsense – it's harder than ever to get in there with traffic and parking."

(VB/JM)