A DECISION regarding the potential creation of Europe’s first university town is expected to be made this year.
It follows the submission of a joint application from Clare County Council and the University of Limerick to designate lands adjoining the north campus of the University as an Economic Strategic Development Zone.
Council Chief Executive, Pat Dowling and UL President, Professor Kerstin Mey have formally written to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD (FF) to seek the designation. The application was made through the UL and Clare Economic Development Agency Designated Activity Company (DAC) and was due to be completed by the middle of January.
Economic forecasts have suggested that the site which would become the first ‘university town’ in Europe could generate a gross added value of €1.795 billion annually to the Irish economy. The designation of the lands as an Economic SDZ will enable the site to generate upwards of 3,500 jobs with additional employment being generated in the construction phase and subsequent spin-off developments.
“Talent is key to attracting Foreign Direct Investment, and creating attractive places is key to attracting talent,” Dowling stated. “The South Clare/UL Economic SDZ will be an environment with high quality placemaking providing for a full range of education, research, living, working, and recreational spaces integrated within the University campus environment.”
Foreign and indigenous enterprises will partner with the University in designing and delivering dual, immersive education, advanced research and re- and upskilling. The project will establish UL as a European Centre of Excellence in dual education, advanced research with industry and knowledge exchange. The establishment of the site as an Innovation District with enterprise partnerships, immersive academies of learning and necessary amenities will provide a considerable economic, social and cultural boost to the Limerick city region.
Professor Mey outlined, “The decision to seek the designation of the lands as an SDZ is a culmination of the joint will of both our organisations to facilitate the development of Academies of Learning and Centres of Excellence on the University campus in County Clare”.
Minister O’Brien is to consult with Limerick City and County Council, residents and other interested parties before making any decision in relation to designation. If this designation is granted, a two-year consultation will take place with landowners and stakeholders in relation to the development of a masterplan.
The Clare Echo understands that both parties have been informed the Government will make a decision on the designation this year.
“It is intended that this zone would be accessible and integrated with Limerick city and have sustainable transport links, including the redevelopment of the Errina canal link,” said Professor Mey. “This is a world class, global location for industry of scale that will allow the University to expand over the next 50 years of its lifetime, and give us more space for student accommodation as well as advanced learning and research spaces. We do this hand in glove with our commitments to the city and the recent opening of the UL City Centre Campus is evidence of that. We have great ambition to grow our existing campus footprint and extend further into the city at the same time”.
Both UL and Clare County Council believe the designation of lands as the South Clare/UL Economic Strategic Development Zone would be a very significant step toward achieving effective regional development, enterprise and investment and would contribute significantly to the achievement of the objectives of the National Planning Framework – Project Ireland 2040 and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region.
