Annual Service Plan

ORGANISATIONAL PRIORITIES 2019

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE

A Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) is a masterplan designation under the Planning Acts to facilitate development which is, in the opinion of the Government, of economic and social importance to the State. Clare County Council, as the relevant planning authority, working in partnership with the University of Limerick, have identified unique opportunities for a significant ‘SDZ/enterprise hub’ development centred on a green field site adjacent to the planned Limerick Northern Distributor Road known as the “University hinterland” in County Clare.

On 9th April 2018 the Elected members of Clare County Council resolved to make an SDZ application to Government. The SDZ is to be centred on a newly expanded UL Campus (the “South Clare/ UL Campus”) and this SDZ designation would provide a number of planning certainty advantages and allow for delivery of the required developments in a timely fashion.

If successful, the project would contribute significant economic value to the local, mid-west region on a national and EU scale. The proposed developments, which would likely be completed on a phased basis, would attract not only students and academics to the site, but businesses and other organisations, forming a thriving urban area within an educational campus environment. Importantly, the SDZ has the potential to become a hub for research and development (R&D), innovation and tourism for the Mid-West region of Ireland. The SDZ application will be made to Government early in 2019 and will be accompanied by an expert report which examines the economic and social justification for the designation of a SDZ on the proposed lands and determine the viability of developing the Clare side of the UL Campus.