LIMERICK REGENERATION 5.1 Physical Regeneration for Moyross Delmege Estate Regeneration Physical 77 LIMERICK REGENERATION Castle Park House and Delmege Estate St Nessan’s Community Watch House Cross College Limerick Institute of Technology Thomond Park 78 LIMERICK REGENERATION 5.1 Physical Regeneration for Moyross 5.1.1 CONTEXT Chapter Two of this document outlines the Strategic Context in which this programme must be consistent with as the regeneration moves forward. The Physical Programme is at this stage indicative only and very much a ‘work in progress’. The details of the various projects proposed will need to be flexible and in a position to respond to the changes that occur within the fluid environment which they operate. From a land-use and planning perspective, matters are changing on a regular basis, for example the Regional Planning Guidelines are due for review shortly as are some of the relevant local authority Delmege Estate Development Plans. In addition the changing economic and social circumstances of the country may have some implications for population growth and development options which may in turn impact on the approaches taken with regard to Regional Development. Therefore as we move forward this Regeneration Programme must continue to complement the strategies and different elements of the various National, Regional and local levels as outlined in table 1 (page 19). 5.1.1.1 Introduction Moyross Chapter 3 set out the Social Regeneration element of this programme and Chapter 4 has dealt with the economic proposals to underpin these. This Physical Programme deals with the buildings, spaces and environment in which these programmes will be grounded and on which they depend to achieve the transformation of Moyross. River This Context section describes the physical issues for the design of the Physical Programme, the key objectives and how they have been addressed. It sets out the overall form of how the Physical Programme is structured. Shannon The following sections, Live, Link, Play, Learn, Work and Deliver, describe what it will be like to live and work here, and how new investment will be served by the neighbourhoods. Limerick 5.1.1.2 The Physical Programme Institute of Technology The Physical Programme defines the framework for how the regeneration of Moyross will be built. It sets out parameters for the following: • Locations, amount and density of housing Thomond Park • Alignments and key dimensions of streets, locations of and sizes of public spaces Aerial photograph showing the regeneration area (outlined) and key locations around the district. Regeneration Physical • Locations and quantity of key uses and amenities • Design guidance for buildings and public realm • Sustainability standards to be achieved for buildings, infrastructure and public spaces; These parameters are intended to be flexible, and will change over time through the ongoing public consultation process and as external circumstances dictate, detailed feasibility studies and design and in response to changing conditions which will arise during the construction process. It also includes material which illustrates the standards of development which the Programme aspires to by showing examples of how the buildings and spaces may look. The Physical principles will untimately inform a number of variations to the Limerick City Development Plan which will set out the land uses and planning objectives for the site. The planning process of the Programme is set out in greater detail in Section 6 - Delivery. 5.1.1.3 Physical conditions Urban form, use and character Section 5.2.3 below describes the existing urban form of the Moyross estate and the type and quality of residential developments therein. 79 LIMERICK REGENERATION Physical Regeneration for Moyross Summary of Issues Strengths Weaknesses Threats Opportunities Boundaries and connections Connectivity Existing and New Infrastructure The social isolation of Moyross from the rest of Limerick is Lack of connectivity to the remainder of the city will affect the With the Northern Distributor Road project which is currently River Shannon reinforced by a physical isolation created by the conditions of ability of the area to attract business and residents underway, Moyross will benefit from a direct connection to the The River Shannon is the largest and most important river the boundaries and transport connections. peripheral routes of Limerick City and very direct connections to Challanging Social Problems system in the country. It also has a rich heritage of engineering There are currently very few ways to access the Moyross the national route network. and navigation works dating from the 18th centuryon, including The threat of challenging social problems and the difficulty of estate, and the majority of the estate is served by just one attracting new residents to live in the newly regenerated area. It is the Ardnacrusha power station. The banks of the river in north access road off Knockalisheen Road. This not only creates a The location at the north west of Limerick facilitates access to Limerick are rich riparian and wetland habitats, much of them vitally important to create a mix of house types and tenures and not Shannon Airport. This, combined with the road network, will be an cul-de-sac condition with implications for crime and safety, but to recreate the existing conditions. designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). makes access to the facilities and opportunities of the city by attraction for businesses investing in the new Moyross. walking or public transport difficult. Open Spaces and Landscape Market Conditions River Shannon A series of high boundary walls running along the southern side The views of the Clare Hills, the mature trees of the Delmege Development and regeneration can be affected by uncertain There is great potential for more to be made of the river of the site has created further barriers between the residents of estate and the hedgerows of the surrounding roads combine as market conditions and the changing economic climate. to contribute to Moyross as an attractive place to live both the estate and the city. The walls and lack of street connections an attractive landscape backdrop which can contribute greatly as a landscape feature and by encouraging ecologically create unnecessary barriers to the opportunities afforded by to the quality of life of current and future residents if protected sensitive leisure uses. The potential for creating further facilities such as LIT or the redeveloped Thomond Park as well and well exploited. crossings of the river in the vicinity of Moyross could allow as a strong psychological isolation. the joining up of a great area of wildlife and leisure uses. Thomond Park The approach to Moyross is of poor urban design quality and The redevelopment of Thomond Park Stadium has redefined for the visitor adds to the sense that it is not a part of the The regeneration of the estate with higher quality housing allows a major visitor attraction on what is currently the edge of network of residential areas of the city. both residents to obtain the benefits of the river’s proximity and Moyross. In order to provide a Plan which addresses the connections to to define a new edge relationship between Limerick City and its surrounding areas adequately, this Plan includes some design natural hinterlands. The Moyross estate benefits from a high standard of educational proposals for areas outside the regeneration boundary. provision catering for all ages and levels of achievement which includes a primary school, secondary school and a third level Public spaces and safety Open Spaces and Landscape institution. Immediately to the west of the river lies a significant area of While there is a great amount of open space in the estate, wetlands and open spaces, much of which are in either local the spaces are of poor quality in terms of activities and public Educational Provision authority or state ownership. The presence of two land fill sites, safety. The schools can be a positive asset for future residents and a number of SACs and the flooding issues outlined above mean if they feel safe to access then they will be a positive draw for Many of the spaces are isolated by being around the edges that much of this land is not suitable for development. However, families in the surrounding areas as well. of the estates making them more difficult to manage. In many the proximity of so much publicly owned land of this kind provides areas they are bounded by blank walls, without adequate an opportunity to create a joined-up resource of park and amenity The presence of the Limerick Institute of Technology and the supervision which is important for discouraging anti-social uses which would be of regional significance and would be a great opportunities afforded by its sporting, educational and research activity and generating a sense of ownership. positive contribution to the identity of Moyross. work has great potential as a contributor to the life of Moyross. The unlocking of this by opening the campus up to the other Flooding and Topography opportunities of the area will bring benefits in terms of the The northern and eastern parts of the site are low lying and Thomond Park perception and life of the estate. The presence of a student border the banks of the Shannon. There have been a number residential population can, if managed well, contribute to the of fluvial and coastal flood events recorded for the River The presence of such a positive landmark in the area is something diversity of the population and social life of the area. Shannon. From records reviewed the worst flooding event for which can be built on so that people who come for sports or other the area occurred in December 1954. events might also being to visit and stay for work or other leisure pursuits.