Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area
and shared benefits from strategic infrastructure investments. Potential examples of networks are citied in Chapter 3 and 4 of the RSES and in the Mid-West SPA these include the Galway-Ennis- Shannon-Limerick (GESL) Economic Network, North Kerry/ West Limerick/Shannon Estuary/ Clare, Limerick-Waterford Network/Axis.
Location of the State’s third largest metropolitan area and city (Limerick City and Suburbs and Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area). • Significant urban regeneration areas of scale and transformative projects through the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan and Limerick 2030; • Employment locations such as Shannon Free-Zone (SFZ), Limerick City Centre and existing and future employment locations as identified in the MASP.
Refer to Chapter 3, 4 and the Limerick-Shannon MASP for specific details and objectives.
Shannon Estuary
• The Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) (SIFP) provides a coherent spatial plan to recognise the economic potential of the Shannon Estuary; • SIFP aims to support the multifunctional nature of the Shannon Estuary and seeks to transform the estuary into an international economic hub; • SIFP has identified an additional 1,200 hectares for marine related development (9 no. strategic development locations) by building on existing industry connectivity and synergy as well as the existing infrastructure to create more sustainable and attractive network for further investment; • Moneypoint and Shannon Foynes Port are strategic national assets along the estuary; • Cahercon in County Clare is strategically located to provide a maritime centre of excellence with accommodation for maritime research which could work to create synergies with the considerable hinterland available, existing infrastructure and direct access to deep water; • The SIFP is cited as a Good Practice example in Chapter 4.
Refer to Limerick-Shannon MASP for specific details and objectives.
Shannon International Airport
• Serves a catchment area which extends beyond the Mid-West SPA and is a strategic national asset; • passenger numbers in 2017 was 1.75 million but existing infrastructure at Shannon has the capacity to deal with 4.5 million passengers without additional investment.
Refer to Limerick-Shannon MASP and Chapter 6 for specific details and objectives.
Shannon Foynes Port
•
Tier 1 Port of National Significance;
• key role, both regionally and nationally, in meeting the external trading requirements of the Irish economy; • Key driver in supporting the realisation of important potential wider economic development benefits.
Low Carbon Economy and Renewable Energy
Refer to Limerick-Shannon MASP and Chapter 6 for specific details and objectives.
• The Mid-West SPA is a net contributor of renewable energy, building on a proud tradition of Ireland’s first renewable energy power station in Ardnacrusha in 1927; • Moneypoint electricity generating station produces 25% of national energy; • The Limerick and Clare Energy Agency and Tipperary Energy Agency are established agencies in the research of renewable energy; • Opportunities include Silvermines in Tipperary which has been identified as a location for the development of a hydro-electric station; • Mount Callan in Co. Clare has been identified for a Pumped Hydro Electricity Scheme complementing the existing regional scaled Wind Energy Development.
Network of Settlements
• The RSES promotes strengthening and growing the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and harnessing the combined strength of our three cities, as a counterbalance to the Greater Dublin Area, though quality development, regeneration and compact growth; • Four Key Towns identified in the RSES: Ennis, Nenagh, Thurles and Newcastle West; • The RSES promotes building on the strong network of towns and supporting the villages and rural areas in the Mid-West SPA and across the Region; • Settlements collaborating and working together on shared initiatives can provide strategic opportunities to drive the regional economy. These networks present opportunities for collaborative projects
Refer to Chapter 5 which contains details and objectives on the Regions transition to a low carbon economy.
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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