Construction BUSINESS

The Land Development Agency (LDA), Limerick City and County Council (LCCC), the HSE and CIÉ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the creation and implementation of a master-plan for a brownfield mixed-use site in excess of 50 hectares at the Colbert Station area of Limerick City. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines the key steps and actions of the signatories for the creation of a new urban neighbourhood in the heart of Limerick City and a comprehensive implementation and delivery strategy.

The project ultimately aims to:

• Regenerate 50-hectare brownfield mixed-use site near Colbert Train and bus station and a HSE facility and accompanying lands with living, working and leisure spaces;
• Design review led by former RIAI president David Browne will start within weeks;
• LDA providing funding for preparatory work;
• Plans for significant public consultation and engagement.

The site of c.50 hectares consists of land owned by State bodies including LCCC, the HSE and CIÉ. The project will be transformative for Limerick City Centre and, through cooperation of key stakeholders, has the potential to deliver very significant living, office and leisure space adjacent to Limerick’s main transport hub and a HSE facility and accompanying lands.

The design review process, a precursor to a statutory master-plan, is the first step in the development at Colbert Station. The process will evaluate the potential for the site to deliver on desired outcomes and provide a high-level vision of what the development could comprise. The design review process is expected to begin in the coming weeks and will be led by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) adhering to best practice international standards to ensure optimum master-planning of the site.

The design review consists of establishing a panel of experienced practitioners of architecture, urban planning and development. The goal of the panel is to utilise specialist knowledge regarding the development at Colbert Station and use their analysis of the site as the bedrock for future master-planning and development.

David Browne, former President of the RIAI and director at one of Ireland’s leading firm of architects (RKD), has been appointed chair of the design panel. David Browne will be working with the LDA to establish the panel in the coming weeks.

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Michael Sheahan, said: “This is a very important first step in the development at Colbert Station. Limerick is one of the most affordable places to live in Ireland and the significant investment put forward by the LDA to fund the design review and master-planning process will ensure that it remains so. The development represents a unique opportunity to re-develop lands for a more appropriate use by delivering living and work opportunities in the City Centre.”

Chairman of the LDA, John Moran, said: “The initiative at Colbert Station represents a significant step forward for us in delivering on our nationwide remit to help harness the growth potential of cities throughout Ireland. I am thrilled to see such ambition coming from our own team, the other stakeholders and signatories to embark on a project of this scale. Its city centre location at Limerick’s main regional and intercity transport hub will show the value of and deliver a very desirable ‘transit oriented development’. That form of development will be the key for the future to fostering cohesion and sustainable living in this new local community. Healthy living without car dependency can now become a reality for thousands of new residents in Limerick.”

Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, said: “The advancement of a 50 hectare site in Limerick City in conjunction with the LDA, HSE and CIÉ represents a hugely transformative development for the City Centre. Continuing our strong economic growth over the last number of years and building on existing work undertaken by Limerick Twenty Thirty will ensure that Limerick remains one of the most viable locations for living and working and reiterate Limerick’s position as the economic powerhouse of the Mid-West.

“The plan could see the development of homes, leisure and office space in the centre of the city with direct transport links to other Irish cities within walking distance of the new development. Recruiting best in class international experts will, in conjunction with the capabilities of existing stakeholders, ensure that this project truly delivers a 21st century urban community.”