Council outlines development plans project

THE development of the Northern Relief Distributor Road is a key piece of infrastructure needed to improve access to the Clare campus of the University of Limerick and traffic movement throughout South-East Clare.

County manager Tom Coughlan confirmed Clare County Council is actively pursuing the development of this route as one of its key projects.
“It was included in the plan adopted by government for Limerick City Regeneration Project. It is looking positive but depends on the availability of funding. The council has got funding for the last two years,” said Mr Coughlan.
At a recent county council meeting, it was agreed that Clare County Council would enter into an agreement with Limerick City Council for the development of this road. The Department of Environment allocated €500,000 last year to progress planning and design and a similar sum of money has been approved this year.
By including UL and Burlington in the County Development Plan, senior planner, Gordon Daly explained the council have recognised their strategic importance of these two sites to the development of the county.
“The Burlington site is now zoned enterprise, it is shown in the overall context of UL and Clare Campus. The council believes there is an opportunity for co-operation with the university.
“In the past people have tended to look at the Burlington site in isolation, Over the last 10 years when you look at the emergence of the Clare Campus with the proposed Northern Relief Road, it is clear the Burlington site can have a bright future and does present significant potential,” said Mr Daly.
“The council is flagging the Burlington site as an area for development. We are saying that the county is open for business and we are interested in developing its potential subject to planning guidelines,” said Mr Coughlan.
Mr Coughlan explained all the objectives of the plan would have to be subjected to the normal planning standards and Department of Environment guidelines.
According to one of the approved amendments to the development plan, the county council seeks to safeguard the provision of a link road of the proposed Northern Relief Distributor Road to serve future development within the designated university zone.
The council wants to facilitate for improvements and upgrade of the existing road network including Larkin’s Cross, the Burlington Road and Garraun Road to facilitate improved vehicular access to the Clare campus in the short to medium term, having regard to available capacities.
It requires the provision of satisfactory vehicular access to the university as part of development proposals as well as improving the footpath and cycle access to the campus from County Clare.
The council also wants to facilitate the development of an entrance to the Clare Campus “on a par of significance” with the existing Limerick entrance.
It has signalled its intention to work closely with UL in realising the vision for the Clare campus as a world class learning, research and development hub and a centre of excellence. The development of an Eco-Business Park on the former Burlington site is highlighted in the plan which will promote the development of a strategic relationship between the Clare Campus of the University of Limerick and Burlington to complement further research and development facilities on the university campus.
The O’Briensbridge Community Group has been campaigning for the re-opening of the Errina Canal and the old River Shannon Navigation System as a major tourism attraction. This is recognised in the plan, which seeks to support and promote the future re-opening of the Errina Canal as a functioning piece of infrastructure facilitating water borne access to the Clare campus and the former Burlington Plant.
It also supports any development proposals the university may have in maximising its strategic position adjacent to the River Shannon, River Blackwater and Errina Canal.
It seeks to facilitate the provision of a physical link over the canal/river, allowing ease of access between the Clare Campus and any future Eco-Business Park on the former Burlington plant site.
“It is an objective of the council to ensure that the necessary services and road network are in place to enable the development objectives for the UL Clare campus and former ­Burlington plant site to be realised.
“The council supports the future attainment of a ­strategic rail link from the Clare Campus of UL to the Ennis line. Developments within this zone will be required to undertake a Habitats Directive Assessment.”