Settlements and Key Facts

LIMERICK DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028

Background Paper Settlement & Key Facts

Contents 1.0 – Introduction ...... 3 1.1 – Core Strategy ...... 4 1.2 – Settlement Strategy...... 5 2.0 – Policy Context ...... 7 2.1 – National Planning Framework ...... 7 2.2 – Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region ...... 8 3.0 – Settlements and Key Facts ...... 9 3.1 – Limerick City and Limerick – Shannon Metropolitan Area ...... 10 3.2 – Key Town: Newcastle West ...... 18 3.3 – Towns and Villages ...... 20

List of Tables Table 1 – Summary of Core Strategies ...... 5 Table 2 – Population Allocations ...... 7 Table 3 – City and Suburbs Demographic Profile ...... 12 Table 4 – City and Suburbs Socio-Economic Profile ...... 14 Table 5 – City and Suburbs Housing ...... 15 Table 6 – City and Suburbs Travel & Transport ...... 15 Table 7 – City and Suburbs Community ...... 16 Table 8 – City and Suburbs Heritage ...... 17 Table 9 – City and Suburbs Environment ...... 17 Table 10 – Newcastle West Demographic Profile ...... 19 Table 11 – Newcastle West Socio-Economic Profile ...... 19 Table 12 – Newcastle West Housing ...... 20 Table 13 – Newcastle West Travel & Transport ...... 20 Table 14 – Newcastle West Community ...... 20 Table 15 – Local Area Plan Settlements Demographic Profile ...... 25 Table 16 – Local Area Plan Settlements Socio-Economic Profile ...... 26 Table 17 – Local Area Plan Settlements Housing ...... 27 Table 18 – Local Area Plan Settlements Travel & Transport ...... 28 Table 19 – Local Area Plan Settlements Community ...... 28

Table 20 – Zoned Settlements Demographic Profile ...... 32 Table 21 – Zoned Settlements Socio-Economic Profile ...... 33 Table 22 – Zoned Settlements Housing ...... 34 Table 23 – Zoned Settlements Travel & Transport ...... 35 Table 24 – Zoned Settlements Community ...... 35

List of Figures

Figue 1 – Irish Planning Hierarcy……………………………………………………………………………………..……3 Figure 2 – Existing Settlement Hierarchy………………………………………………………………………………5 Figure 3 – RSES Settlement Typology……………………………………………………………………….…………..6 Figure 4 – Settlements identified by Geographical Location……………………………………………….10 Figure 5 – Limerick City and Environs………………………………………………………………………………….11 Figure 6 – Newcastle West Settlement Boundary as Identified by the Central Statistics Office………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….18 Figure 7 – Bruff Settlement Boundary as Identified by the Central Statistics Office…………....21 Figure 8 – Caherconlish Settlement Boundary as Identified by the Central Statistics Office..22 Figure 9 – Cappamore Settlement Boundary as identified by the Central Statistics Office....23 Figure 10 – Kilfinane Settlement Boundary as identified by the Central Statistics Office…….23 Figure 11 – Hospital Settlement Boundary as Identified by the Central Statistics Office...... 24 Figure 12 – Athea Settlement Boundary as identified by the Central Statistics Office...... 29 Figure 13 – Fedamore Settlement Boundary as identified by the Central Statistics Office....30 Figure 14 – Foynes Settlement Boundary as identified by the Central Statistics Office...... 30 Figure 15 – Montpelier Settlement Boundary as identified by the Central Statistics Office..31 Figure 16 – Murroe Settlement Boundary as identified by the Central Statistics Office…… 31

1.0 – Introduction

The National Planning Framework anticipates that by 2040, there will be approximately one million additional people living in Ireland. This population growth will require hundreds of thousands of new jobs and new homes. Planning for this projected growth requires national policies and regional actions to target growth in the right places outside of the Dublin region. At a local level, the Core Strategy and Settlement Strategy of the proposed Limerick Development Plan must be prepared, in accordance with the requirements of the higher level plans including the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region. The Core and Settlement Strategies will form the foundation for the achievement of sustainable and targeted growth over the lifetime of the Development Plan and beyond.

Figure 1 – Irish Planning Hierarchy

This paper will briefly outline the requirements for the preparation of the Core and Settlement Strategies in the proposed Limerick Development Plan and details some key facts in relation to settlements, which will come under the remit of the proposed Plan. The proposed Limerick Development Plan, when adopted in 2022 will replace both the Limerick City Development Plan 2010 – 2016 (as extended) and the Limerick County Development Plan 2010 – 2016 (as extended).

1.1 – Core Strategy

The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 introduced the requirement for an evidence based ‘Core Strategy’ to be included in all Development Plans. The key purpose of a Core Strategy is to ensure that the Local Authority identifies and reserves an appropriate amount of zoned land in the right locations to achieve projected housing and population growth targets. The new Core Strategy will comprise a medium to long term strategy for the spatial development of Limerick City and County, which is consistent with national and regional policy objectives and population growth targets set out in the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region.

In accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the Core Strategy must:

• Define a Settlement Strategy (including a Hierarchy of Settlements) for the City and County that is consistent with the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region;

• Include the Southern Region’s prescribed housing and population targets set out for Limerick City and County in accordance with the identified settlement hierarchy;

• Provide an evidence based rationale for the zoning of land for residential and mixed-use development to achieve projected growth, having regard to the capacity of existing zoned land and the phasing of development with respect to the availability of infrastructure and services;

• Demonstrate how Limerick City and County Council has had regard to the statutory Retail Planning Guidelines in setting out objectives for retail development;

A short summary of the existing Core Strategies set out in the Limerick City Development Plan 2010 – 2016 (as extended) and the Limerick County Development Plan 2010 – 2016 (as extended) is set out in the table below.

Settlement 2006 2016 2016 Zoned Land Hierarchy Population Prescribed Additional Required to Additional Housing Units Accommodate Population Required 2016 Additional Allocation Population

Tier 1 City – 59,790 70,769 9,149 272ha. Former City Council Area Tier 1 Suburbs – 26,601 6,727 3,019 129.38ha. Castletroy & Southern Environs

Tier 2 – 6,541 4,069 2,079 144.55ha. Newcastle West & Kilmallock Tier 3 – 9,300 5,124 2,048 173.15ha. Abbeyfeale, Rathkeale & Others Tier 4 - 7,952 1,980 890 49.46ha. Settlements Tier 5 - 3,673 682 328 3.55ha. Settlements Tier 6 – Open 70,198 4,232 2,638 None Countryside Table 1 – Summary of Core Strategies

1.2 – Settlement Strategy

The Settlement Strategy sets out the objectives of the Core Strategy in a local context. The strategy outlines the appropriate level of sustainable development in settlements and the rural areas across the City and County. In particular, the strategy will set out the role and function of each level, within the hierarchy and includes information on the growth targets for each settlement. The current Limerick City and County Settlement Hierarchy is set out in the diagram below.

Figure 2 – Existing Settlement Hierarchy

A new settlement typology has been defined in the Regional and Spatial Economic Strategy for the Southern Region to take account of the role and function of each settlement type across the region. This new typology will form the basis for the formation of a new settlement hierarchy and strategy, which will identify the settlements, where growth will be prioritised under the new Limerick Development Plan. The new settlement hierarchy will also inform infrastructure investment decisions required to facilitate this growth. In accordance with the Regional and Spatial Economic Strategy, the Settlement Strategy will aim to provide a coherent planning framework for the development of the City and County, on the basis of a well-developed urban structure supporting diverse rural areas.

The Regional and Spatial Economic Strategy for the Southern Region sets out the following Settlement Typology:

Figure 3 – RSES Settlement Typology

2.0 – Policy Context

2.1 – National Planning Framework

The National Planning Framework is a national document, which will guide high level strategic planning and development for the country over the next 20+ years so that the population grows sustainably in an economic, social and environmental context. The National Planning Framework aims to guide the future development of Ireland taking into account a projected population increase of 1 million people, the need to create 660,000 additional jobs to achieve full employment and the need for an additional 550,000 homes by 2040. To cater for the projected population growth the National Planning Framework makes provision for the growth of an additional 340,000 - 380,000 people in the Southern Region. As part of the Southern Region, the National Planning Framework allocates a growth of an additional 34,000 to 40,500 persons by 2026 to Limerick. The population of Limerick was recorded as 195,000 persons in the 2016 Census.

Regions & 2016 2026 Additional pop. 2031 Additional pop. Counties From 2016 to From 2016 to 2026 2031

Mid – West Limerick 195,000 229,000- 34,000 - 40,500 246,000- 51,000 – 61,000 235,000 256,500 Clare 119,000 129,500- 10,500 – 12,500 134,000- 15,000 – 18,000 131,500 137,000 Tipperary 71,000 77,500- 6,500 – 8,000 80,500- 9,500 – 11,000 NR 79,000 82,000 Subtotal 385,000 436,000- 51,000 – 61,000 460,500- 75,500 -90,500 446,000 475,500 Table 2 – Population Allocations

The NPF sets out ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) or priorities to guide future development. These will be implemented through the Investment priorities detailed in the National Development Plan. The ten NSOs are as follows:

• Compact Growth; • Enhanced Regional Accessibility; • Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities; • High Quality International Connectivity; • Sustainable Mobility; • A Strong Economy Supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills;

• Enhanced Amenities and Heritage; • Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society; • Sustainable Management of Water and other Environmental Resources; • Access to Quality Childcare, Education and Health Services.

In accordance with the National Strategic Objectives, the National Planning Framework places an emphasis on the renewal and development of existing settlements, rather than the sprawl of development into the countryside. The National Planning Framework requires 50% of all new housing within Limerick City to occur within the existing city and suburbs footprint, through the development of brownfield and infill sites and regeneration. Outside of Limerick City, 30% of all new homes are to be provided within the existing built-up footprints of settlements.

The National Planning Framework recognises the role of rural towns as local drivers for their surrounding areas, supporting homes, jobs, clusters of services and transport hubs. Changing settlement patterns have resulted in an increase in vacant buildings within the City, towns and villages, which has adverse impacts on the vitality of settlements. The National Planning Framework objectives aim to strengthen and diversify rural towns as a focus for local housing and employment growth, with an emphasis on regeneration and development of vacant and derelict sites and the utilisation of new technology and digital connectivity.

2.2 – Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region

The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (RSES) sets out a 12- year strategic development framework for the delivery of the objectives of the National Planning Framework within the Southern Region.

The RSES includes a Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan for the Limerick – Shannon Metropolitan Area. A key component of the RSES is to strengthen the settlement structure of the Southern Region. This aims to capitalise on the strength of the region’s cities (Limerick, Cork & Waterford), metropolitan areas, key towns, towns and villages and key networks. Further to the above, the RSES seeks a revitalised rural area to make it one of Europe’s most creative, innovative, green and liveable regions.

For Limerick, the new typology equates to:

• Limerick City and the Limerick – Shannon Metropolitan Area;

• Key Town: Newcastle West;

• Towns and Villages: Above 1,500 people, which provide a housing, employment or service function;

• Rural: Rural villages less than 1,500 people and the wider rural area.

• Networks: Groupings of towns and villages, which share geographic, economic, resources and contribute specialism’s which if combined, provide a strategic opportunity to drive regional economy.

As set out under the RSES, the Limerick – Shannon Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) seeks to strengthen the role of the Metropolitan Area, as an international location of scale, a complement to Dublin and a primary driver of economic and population growth in the Southern Region. The RSES indicates that population and employment growth must align with public transport investment, public transport nodal points and a focus on regeneration, consolidation and infrastructure led growth of the city and suburbs, existing hierarchy of metropolitan towns and the metropolitan area’s strategic employment locations. Economically, the strategy focuses on delivering smart specialisation and clustering underpinned by a focus on place making for enterprise development.

Within the wider County, the RSES identifies Newcastle West as a Key Town within the settlement typology. The RSES outlines a number of well-established networks of settlements in the Southern Region, which are strategically driving sub-regional growth and opportunities for further potential networks. The RSES recognises and supports the economic role and potential of settlements including Listowel, Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West and Kilrush, as economic drivers in a potential North Kerry/ West Limerick/ Clare network connected with the Shannon Estuary (and Shannon Foynes Port). Their attributes extend to include the Shannon Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) area and strategic locations identified under the SIFP as a Shannon Estuary Coastal Network.

Outside of the Limerick – Shannon Metropolitan Area, the RSES recognises rural towns and villages as important drivers of socio-economic development. Limerick has a diverse network of towns and villages of varying scale and function as set out in the settlement hierarchy. Growth rates allocated in the Core Strategy will reflect their role and infrastructure capacity, to ensure the delivery of a targeted approach to plan making.

3.0 Settlements and Key Facts

The Limerick Development Plan 2022 – 2028 must be prepared in the context of the higher level National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region. Compliance with the higher-level national framework and regional strategy will require amendments to the existing Limerick settlement hierarchy and reviews of the lower level Local Area Plans.

The settlement hierarchy in the new Limerick Development Plan will be prepared with cognisance to the requirements and key facts set out in the following sections.

The existing settlement hierarchy is addressed above from the existing Development Plans. For the purposes of this background paper, analysis has been carried out on a number of settlements including; Limerick City and Environs, the Key town of Newcastle West. There are 5 settlements within the existing County Development Plan 2010 – 2016 (as extended), with zoning maps and policies, these will be retained in the proposed Limerick Development

Plan, they will be reviewed and updated and include: Athea, Fedamore, Foynes, Monteplier and Murroe. Further to these settlements, there are an additional 5 settlements with existing Local Area Plans, which will be incorporated into the proposed Development Plan, these include: Bruff, Caherconlish, Cappamore, Hospital and Kilfinane. The settlements to be considered are mapped below in Figure 4.

Figure 4 – Settlements identified by Geographical Location

3.1 – Limerick City and Limerick – Shannon Metropolitan Area

The National Planning Framework sets out a targeted projection of population growth of 47,000 – 56,000 persons for Limerick City and Suburbs to 2040, equating to a population of 141,000 persons. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy population targets provide for Limerick City and Suburbs to grow from 94,000 (2016) to 112,086 in 2026 (+18,086 on 2016) and 123,289 persons by 2031 (+29,289 on 2016). The 2031 target represents a population increase of 31% on the 2016 Census of population figures in the City and Suburbs.

The Suburbs of the City in Limerick consist of the Northside (Caherdavin, Ennis Road, Moyross, Thomondgate, Kings’ Island and Corbally), the Outer City Area, (Pennywell, Singland, Rhebogue, Ballinacurra), the Southern Environs (Dooradoyle, Raheen, Gouldavoher, Ballycummin, Ballykeefe) and Castletroy (Annacotty Village, Newtown, Plassey, Monaleen, Groody, Ballysimon, Towlerton).

Local Area Plans are currently in place for the suburban settlements of the Southern Environs and Castletroy. However, these areas will come under the remit of the new Limerick Development Plan 2022 – 2028 and the current Local Area Plans for these suburbs will be revoked, pending adoption of the proposed Development Plan.

Some key facts in relation to Limerick City and Suburbs are set out in the tables on the following pages.

Figure 5 – Limerick City and Environs

Demographic Profile – Census 2016