Revised boundary expands Limerick city by 50%

ALMOST 7,000 people will become city residents in Limerick as a result of a significant redesignation of the county council boundary.

It follows an agreement between both local authorities to transfer a huge area of the county suburbs to the city as part of the massive regeneration programme planned for Moyross.

With the transfer of 2,000 acres, the city will expand by 50%.

Limerick County Council is to be paid €1.2 million over six years in compensation for loss of revenue.

The areas, which will transfer to the city, will include Caherdavin suburb and a pocket of Moyross which is currently in the county council’s administrative area.

As a result of the changes, the city council will gain rates revenue from a number of retail outlets including the Jetland and a new shopping area being developed at Coonagh Cross.

John Fitzgerald, the former Dublin city manager who was called in by the Government to draw up a regeneration plan for Moyross and Southill, had sought a boundary extension to allow for a balanced renewal of Moyross and its environs on the northside of the city.

Most of the 1,000 houses in Moyross will be razed to the ground and a new development will provide for better access roads to enable greater interaction between communities on the north side of the city.

Limerick county manager Ned Gleeson has backed the transfer of estates on the northside to the city.

However, he pointed out that this move had no bearing on a much wider boundary extension being sought on the south side of the city including Raheen and Dooradoyle and Monaleen on the eastern side.

As part of the new boundary change on the northside, transitional arrangements are being put in place to deal with planning applications lodged with the county council, the retention of the existing county development plan as it affects Caherdavin and debts owed to the county authority.

The decision of Limerick County Council will now give a huge impetus to the plans being drawn up by the North Side Regeneration board.

The board is engaged in a consultative process with local residents and a final master plan will be ready within the next two months.

Irish Examiner

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