Limerick-Shannon MASP Policy Objective 13
b. It is an objective to seek investment to deliver a Connected and Autonomous (CAV) R&D testbed and smart infrastructure in Shannon and a smart city demonstrator in Limerick; c. It is an objective to support the development of the Limerick Docklands Strategy within the context of both commercial and potential future residential development.
Strategic Employment Locations a. It is an objective to support the sustainable development of identified and future Strategic Employment Locations and to ensure the delivery of associated infrastructural requirements subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process;
8.4.1 | Shannon Free Zone
Shannon Free Zone (SFZ) is 243 hectares in area with more than 7,000 employees in over 100 companies and is home to the largest cluster of American companies in Ireland outside of Dublin. The site is part owned by Shannon Commercial Properties and part privately owned. It consists of greenfield and brownfield lands. There is considerable potential for development within this existing zoned landbank. It is important to ensure that a range of property solutions are available for different business life stages and that adequate investment in the utilities infrastructure is provided. The following are key priorities for SFZ: • Shannon Group is transforming the SFZ to create the environment for a high-tech eco-system in the Mid-West. Given the success of Phase 1 of the redevelopment, it is now necessary to fast track the continued regeneration of SFZ; • The SFZ Masterplan, currently under development, will provide a detailed development framework strategy for the undeveloped landbank at SFZ East
and the brownfield regeneration of SFZ West. The Masterplan will ensure that the land use potential of the lands is maximised and future development takes place in a co-ordinated manner; • Shannon can be at the forefront of a global mobility revolution. It has an established industrial base in the technology and automotive sectors, including global market-leading firms with ambitious investment plans, a plethora of expert SMEs and depth of research expertise. The MASP supports the future development of the automotive and mobility sector in Shannon; • Investment in the sustainable development of the CAV sector in Shannon including the development of a testbed for this transformative technology which can be a key enabler for decarbonising our transport sector; • Cross-agency cooperation in the promotion and development of the IASC cluster; • Investment in the utilities infrastructure is necessary to ensure the continued regeneration of the SFZ. Much of the utilities date back to the 1950’s and requires upgrading. Upgrades to the electricity network, the water and wastewater network is necessary to ensure that the economic potential of the SFZ can be achieved; • Westpark which has 2,500-3,000 jobs on a modern campus and has plans for expansion.
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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