Regional strategy (RSES) · Southern Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region
The regional strategy for the Southern Region, including the Cork, Limerick–Shannon and Waterford metropolitan area strategic plans.
Southern Regional Assembly · January 2020 · 382 pages
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- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES271 1.0 | Introduction 1.1 | Overview 1.2 | Spatial Definition Limerick City is the largest urban centre in Ireland’s Mid-West and the country’s third largest city. The NPF supports ambitious growth targets to enable Limerick City to grow by at least 50% to 2040 and to achieve its potential to become a city of scale. The NPF recognises the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area’s growth potential with existing third level institutes and international airport and port facilities. The NPF aims to build on these strengths while improving liveability through key growth enablers including proposals to implement and extend Limerick city centre in accordance with the Limerick 2030 Economic and Spatial Plan, enhance opportunities for education and employment, and enhance connectivity to Shannon Airport and Shannon Foynes Port, Cork and Waterford. The NPF also aims to provide for a citywide public transport network with enhanced accessibility from the centre to the National Technology Park, the university and the airport, the development of a strategic cycleway network, encourage inner city development and regeneration, and to develop and diversify the existing communities in the city. Shannon is a significant employment centre with assets such as Shannon International Airport, Shannon Free-Zone (SFZ) and the International Aviation Services Centre (IASC). Though located within different counties and 19km apart, both Limerick City and Shannon are interdependent, with complementary functions contributing to a combined strength - a primary economic driver for the Region. Significant strategic investment in recent decades has helped unlock their joint potential, including the Limerick Tunnel (N7), improved links to Dublin via the N7 Dublin-Limerick motorway, and Galway via the M18. This Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan provides a focus on Limerick City and the metropolitan settlement of Shannon. It sets out the framework for Limerick City and County Council and Clare County Council and the various stakeholders to implement the NPF within the context of the RSES. The Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area includes Limerick City Centre at the core and the continuous built up area of Limerick City and Suburbs (as defined by the CSO). Shannon in Co. Clare is the largest metropolitan town with a population of 9,729. The Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area also includes Annacotty (2,930), Castleconnell (2,107), Patrickswell (847), Clarina (294), Mungret (277) in Limerick and Sixmilebridge (2,625), Ardnacrusha (1,383), Clonlara (713), Cratloe (692), Ballycannan (638), Bunratty (349) and O’Briensbridge (396) in Clare1. The MASP population is almost evenly split, with 49% located in Co. Clare and 51% in the City and County of Limerick. 1. Population from Census 2016 of each listed settlement is contained in brackets.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES272 Map 1 | Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area a. It is an objective to strengthen the role of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area as an international location of scale, a complement to Dublin and a primary driver of economic and population growth in the Southern Region. b. It is an objective to promote the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area as a cohesive metropolitan area with (i) the city centre as the primary location at the heart of the metropolitan area and Region (ii) compact growth and regeneration of Limerick city centre and suburbs, (iii) compact growth and regeneration of Shannon (iv) active land management initiatives to deliver housing and employment locations in a sustainable, infrastructure led manner. c. It is an objective to seek co-ordinated investment and delivery of holistic infrastructure packages across State Departments and infrastructure delivery agencies as they apply to the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area and seek further investments to deliver on the Metropolitan Area Goals (see Volume III). d. Any reference to support for all plans, projects, activities and development in the MASP should be considered to refer to ‘sustainable development’ that shall be subject to appropriate feasibility studies, best practice site/route selection (to consider environmental constraints), environmental assessment including EcIA to support development management and where required, the completion of statutory SEA, EIA and AA processes as appropriate e. The MASP seeks to protect, manage and through enhanced ecological connectivity, to improve the coherence of the Natura 2000 Network in the Region. Limerick Shannon MASP Policy Objective 1
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES273 2.0 | Key Components and Attributes 2.1 | Limerick City Limerick City1 has a population of 94,192 persons and covers an area of 59km². An ancient city located on the banks of the River Shannon, its history dates back to its establishment by the Vikings as a walled city on King’s Island in 812AD. Limerick’s charter in 1197 makes it older than the City of London. Today, Ireland’s third largest city, Limerick has already experienced successful economic and cultural rejuvenation. From record levels of high unemployment and emigration a decade ago, Limerick is now an exemplar of recovery and primed to take its place among the most dynamic emerging cities of Europe. Limerick City has significant competitive advantages including its pivotal location in relation to other cities, its central location on the Atlantic Economic Corridor, national and international connectivity through Shannon International Airport and Shannon Foynes Port, tourism connectivity as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City, and a significant third level education and skills role including a world-class university. It is a key economic driver for the Region and is a focus of employment for the surrounding areas with 44,635 jobs in 2016, an increase of over 4,000 over the previous five years. In 2016, over half the people working in the City were from outside with some 22,700 commuting into the City each day for work. The Limerick 2030 initiative is key to unlocking the potential of the city and, has been accelerated by the establishment of the Limerick 2030 Strategic Development DAC, the first entity of its kind created by a local authority to deliver a city and county- wide programme of investment. It is the biggest single Irish commercial property development programme undertaken outside of Dublin. Over €1 billion is being invested in enterprise and investment infrastructure as part of the Limerick 2030 vision, which aims to transform Limerick through the economic, social and physical investment. The MASP supports this initiative, including the development of Opera, Gardens International, Cleeves Campus Sites and Mungret College lands. This is complemented by Innovate Limerick, a delivery mechanism for key Limerick 2030 projects. Limerick is also transforming itself into Ireland’s first Digital City with the integration of a number of public services, the creation of smart homes, smart buildings, energy districts and smart neighbourhoods. The MASP supports Limerick City in becoming a major economic force in the Irish and European economy, a leading centre for commercial investment – both foreign direct investment and indigenous business growth - capitalising on the strengths of its higher education institutions and the skills of its workforce. The City Centre will be at the heart of this economic force – an attractive magnet for retail, leisure, residential, commercial, educational and cultural growth. The MASP supports the following key infrastructure and transformative projects within Limerick City: • City Centre Consolidation and Revitalisation based on Limerick 2030, comprising social, physical and economic regeneration and formation of a higher density Georgian Living City with all essential services and community facilities, • Densification of development in the city centre, including identification and assembly of brownfield sites for development; • Development of key strategic sites including Opera site, Cleeves, Arthurs Quay and continuation of the riverside links; • Potential for alternative uses in Limerick Docklands; • Continued expansion and enhancement of the retail offer and experience in the City Centre; • Continued investment in the City’s regeneration areas; • Development of a new technology park on the north side of Limerick City integrally linked with Limerick IT and Moyross; • Industry 4.0, Digital transformation and Smart City initiatives; • Public realm improvements in the City Centre including the development of a city-wide interconnected set of public parks, urban renewal within the Georgian Quarter; • Additional child friendly amenities within the City Centre including playgrounds that will help drive footfall; • Improvements to sustainable transport infrastructure including the development of public transport, walking and cycling; • Creation of a Carbon Neutral City; • Business incentive schemes to further generate footfall and use of the City both during the daytime and in the evenings; 2. Limerick City is taken to be the Census settlement of Limerick City and Suburbs.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES274 • The further development and promotion of cultural, heritage and sporting offerings (such as EVA / The Red Mile) to further develop the desirability of the City Centre, • The growth and development of health care facilities as proposed by the University Hospital Limerick in their Strategic Plan, • Delivery of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road (LNDR) – a key strategic infrastructure priority for the Region. • Progressing the sustainable phased development of areas for housing and the development of support public transport and infrastructure, in areas such as Mungret. • The continued expansion of the City’s third level institutions and integration with the wider city and Region, including the provision of specific facilities to address educational and social deprivation • The construction of a Digital Collaboration Centre by Innovate Limerick, • The World Class Waterfront Project along the River Shannon to reinvent the City Quays as the main entertainment and leisure destination for the City. • Climate resilience measures including CFRMAs Flood Relief Scheme for the city centre. Limerick City The Limerick Shannon MASP recognises that for the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area and the Mid- West SPA to prosper and development in a sustainable manner, a strong Limerick City is paramount. It is an objective to: a. Support the regeneration and continued investment into Limerick City through initiatives such as Limerick 2030 and Limerick Regeneration and to further enhance Limerick City as a primary economic driver for the Southern Region. b. Enhance the city centre as the primary commercial area, supporting a range of retail, tourism, social and cultural activities. c. Strengthen the consolidation and regeneration of Limerick City Centre to drive its role as a vibrant living, retailing and working city, the economic, social and cultural heart of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area and Region. d. Seek investment to achieve brownfield regeneration of city centre sites as high quality, mixed use sustainable and transformative projects which set national and international good practice standards in innovation, quality design, exemplary urbanism and place making. e. Support collaboration between Limerick City and County Council and the Land Development Agency to masterplan and sustainably develop strategic city centre and Dockland sites in Limerick City, utilising the appropriate planning mechanisms and subject to required environmental assessments. f. Seek investment to achieve regeneration and consolidation in the city suburbs. Limerick Shannon MASP Policy Objective 2
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES275 2.2 | Shannon Shannon occupies a strategic position as a gateway to the West of Ireland. It is a centre of international business and has strong synergies with Limerick City. The International Airport and the industrial park, are critical not only to the Mid-West but to the country. Shannon is central to delivering the ambition for the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area’s economic, social diversity and tourism development. Shannon is identified for significant population growth i.e. greater than 30% population increase by 2040. The 2016 census shows the population of Shannon as 9,729. Shannon has a daytime population of 18,000 people, with over 8,700 people working within the Shannon Free Zone in over 160 companies. Like Ennis, there is the potential to capitalise on the growing linkages and synergies with Galway. The Limerick Shannon MASP strongly supports Shannon’s current and future role as a driver of growth. The MASP identifies a significant opportunity for Shannon to expand as a globally recognised centre of excellence for software engineering/aviation/logistics talent. The MASP recognises and supports Shannon as a centre for research and development for autonomous vehicles that will complement Shannon’s role as a world leader in aviation and as a centre for manufacturing, engineering, and distribution. Its attributes include: • Centre of international business, aviation, aerospace and attracting emerging sectors such as CAV and Lifesciences, for example Jaguar Land Rover and Edwards LifeSciences; • Major employment location which includes industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and transport; • Shannon International Airport with a capacity for 4.5 million passengers and, with US Pre clearance for passengers, is the International gateway for the West of Ireland; • Ranked No. 1 for economic potential, No. 2 for business friendliness and No. 4 for connectivity among Micro European Cities of the Future 2018/19 by FDI Intelligence; • NUIG Shannon College of Hotel Management Ireland’s only dedicated hotel management college; • SFZ is home to 160 companies and employs over 8,700 people; • Through the IASC, Shannon hosts the largest Aviation/Aerospace Cluster in Ireland with over 65 Aviation Companies and 2,600 jobs; • Westpark Business Campus is home to over 50 global and national businesses; • Strong, well established economic and employment links between Shannon and Limerick City. The Limerick Shannon MASP provides a unique opportunity to strengthen this relationship; • Economic triangle of Limerick-Shannon-Ennis; • Improved synergies between Ennis and Galway with significant potential and capacity for enhancement; The infrastructural requirements for Shannon include: • Public transport improvements to Shannon International Airport and Shannon Town. Shannon Airport benefits from regular Bus Éireann services to Galway, however currently only five of these services per day are direct expressway services and do not coincide with flight times, creating a disincentive to use public transport to and from the Airport. Moreover, there are currently no direct public bus services providing connectivity between Cork and Shannon. Enhanced public transport connectivity from cities such as Galway, Cork and Limerick is particularly important to assist the continued growth of the Airport and the sustainable development of Shannon town. • Rail link – an infrastructural safeguard has been incorporated into the existing Clare County Development Plan and Local Area Plan for a rail line to be provided to Shannon town and International Airport. • Road Access - Investment is required in improving and upgrading the existing road access from the motorway to Shannon International Airport. • Limerick Northern Distributer Road – linking Shannon International Airport, the SFZ and Shannon town with UL and Limerick City. The provision of this road will benefit regional interconnectivity which will result in social, economic and educational gains to the Region. • Electricity infrastructure is required to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to facilitate the expansion of the Shannon area including that the airport freezone through the development of a Combined Heat and Power Plant. • Wastewater treatment infrastructure requires investment in terms of increased capacity and extension to facilitate future development and expansion in Shannon Town, the free-zone and airport. • The RSES supports the continued investment in the delivery of the Shannon Green Infrastructure Plan and its projects such as the Shannon Town Park, Shannon Estuary Walk and the development of other amenity facilities. • Improvements and enhancement to Shannon Town Centre to create a sense of place, up-grade public realm and promote re-development. This will be a central component in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES276 Shannon a. The Limerick Shannon MASP recognises Shannon as a significant regional strength and employment centre. It is an objective to support and promote Shannon as a centre for research and development for autonomous vehicles which will complement Shannon’s role as a world leader in aviation, aerospace, engineering, manufacturing and distribution. b. It is an objective to seek investment to deliver a Connected and Autonomous (CAV) R&D testbed and smart infrastructure in Shannon. c. It is an objective to improve and enhance Shannon as an attractive residential location through placemaking and regeneration initiatives. Limerick Shannon MASP Policy Objective 3 2.3 | Limerick Shannon MASP and the Wider Region Competitive cities drive competitive regions by promoting growth and employment and by joining up separate business hubs, infrastructural assets and clusters, to expand existing markets and create new ones. Analysis by the National Transport Authority (NTA) identifies the catchment of Limerick and Shannon MASP (see Map 2) and includes areas previously referred to as the Mid West Limerick City Region. This sphere of influence of the Limerick Shannon MASP will extend northward towards Galway, southwards towards Cork and Tralee, eastwards towards Tipperary Town and Nenagh, and west towards Kerry. The catchment has a number of dynamic relations including: international connectivity through the Ports and Airport, its connections to the Dublin, Galway, Cork and Waterford metropolitan areas, connection to Key Towns in the Mid-West and its relationship to surrounding towns, villages and rural areas. It contains a significant number of commuters to the metropolitan area and there are cultural, social, sporting, education, health services and amenity linkages in both directions. There is need for a complementary focus to enable those areas outside of the metropolitan boundary to pursue a greater degree of self-containment of employment, services provision and patterns of commuting. Development of self-contained economic roles in settlements and rural areas will reinforce the economic strength of the metropolitan area. The MASP recognises and supports the role of Nenagh, Ennis and Newcastle West as Key Towns well connected to the Limerick-Shannon MASPs. Limerick 2030 highlights that Newcastle West as a key location to complement the growth of the Metropolitan Area. Other settlements and rural areas have potential for complementary roles, interacting with the Metropolitan Area and benefitting from the economic spread from larger centres of scale, nurturing local enterprise growth, local jobs and developing strong roles that contribute to their mutual success. There are opportunities for networks of settlements, harnessing specialist roles and driving shared strengths to generate stronger economic interactions with the metropolitan area. Enhanced connectivity (transport and digital) between the metropolitan areas and between other settlements (especially networks of settlements) and the metropolitan areas is an essential enabler to strengthen these opportunities.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES277 Map 2 | Catchment of Limerick City and Shannon SOURCE | NTA Hinterland analysis
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES278 2.4 | Example Trends for Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area The following infographics provide details of the key components and attributes of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area. 19.9% 14.8% 30.2% 22.5% 12.5% Age 15-24 Age 25-44 Age 45-64 Age 65+Age 0-14 Old Young Limerick City & Suburbs Shannon Southern Region State 18.5% 18.4% 18.3% 22.4% 20.4% 29.4% 27.9% 31.7% 32.6% 32.3% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Population by Age Old & Young Age Dependency Rate 5.6% UP Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area 9.9% UP Southern Region 14.8% UP State Population Change 2006 - 2016
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES279 Limerick City & Suburbs Shannon Southern Region StateLimerick Shannon Metropolitan Area 2016 Census Non-Irish Nationals 12.6% 16.4% 11.4% 13.7% 10% 10% 5% 15% 20% 10.3% 18.6% 39.4% 22.8% 8.8% 16.8% 13.2% 36.4% 27.7% 5.9% 14.8% 14.3% 36.8% 27.4% 6.7% 1945-70 1971-2000 Post 2001 N/APre 1945 Owned Outright N/ARented from Private Landlord Social Rented Owned with Mortgage or Loan 1 2 3 1. Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area 2. Southern Region 3. State 1. Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area 2. Limerick City & Suburbs 3. Shannon 4. Southern Region 5. State 1 2 3 4 5 29.3% 32.9% 22.7% 10.1% 26.2% 31.1% 25.5% 11.7% 5.1%5.5%3.1%4.7% 4.6% 33.5% 30% 39.4% 16.2% 9.8% 31.6% 36% 18.2% 9.4% 31.3% 22.1% 10% Diversity and our Migrant Communities Housing Tenure Housing Year Built
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES280 StateSouthern RegionLimerick Shannon Metropolitan Area 72.1% 70.7% 66.4% 20% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Limerick City & Suburbs Shannon Southern Region StateLimerick Shannon Metropolitan Area 32.7% 23.9% 33.4% 32% 30.3% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Limerick City & Suburbs Shannon Southern Region StateLimerick Shannon Metropolitan Area 13.9% 18.5% 14.7% 13% 16% 5% 15% 20% 10% Education Attainment: Tech/Apprentice/Cert Education Attainment: All Third Level Households with Broadband
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