Plans have been put forward for a major urban development and rejuvenation project in the heart of Limerick City.

Led by the Land Development Agency (LDA), the Colbert Station Quarter project will transform this part of Limerick city, incorporating new urban districts to be developed over time delivering potentially 2,800 homes in addition to commercial space, public spaces alongside sustainable transport options.

Representing the largest ever transfer of State land for housing, this exciting project supports the government's Housing for All Strategy and includes a commitment of State land for LDA to deliver up to 15,000 homes on top of its existing pipeline.

An early priority with potential for housing development by the LDA is on part of the HSE lands to the rear of St Joseph's which has been identified for transfer under the Housing for All Strategy. Subject to the public consultation and ongoing engagement with HSE, these lands are ideally positioned for development of mixed tenure housing, including affordable and social housing in the coming few years.

Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: "I am delighted that just weeks after the launch of the most significant housing strategy in the history of the State, that we see immediate progress from one of the key actors in that Plan – the Land Development Agency. The Housing for All Plan outlines plans for the activation of underused public lands to deliver much needed homes. The Land Development Agency will not just develop land banks and build homes, it will also create sustainable communities and drive transformational change. Today's announcement is a perfect example of the kind of partnership which lies at the heart of the LDA approach. I would like to congratulate Limerick City and County Council and the HSE and CIE for their effort and dedication to this approach."

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The Colbert Quarter is of strategic importance to Limerick City, and the Draft Spatial Framework sets out how the overall scheme could evolve. This Draft Framework was developed by the LDA working with Limerick City and County Council, CIE and HSE. It represents a blueprint for the potential transformation of this significant area of Limerick City over time. The Draft Framework which is also accompanied by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report, an Appropriate Assessment (AA) Natura Impact Report and a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment is now open for public consultation until 11 November 2021.

The Colbert Station Quarter, an area in the heart of Limerick City made up almost entirely of state-owned land, offers the potential to truly transform underutilised brownfield areas into a vibrant, liveable, mixed use and compact urban quarter which will be driven by affordable housing. It provides for transport orientated development and seeks to achieve a vibrant mix of homes, landmark buildings, unique pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, employment space and new parks and play areas. There will also be enhanced facilities for health, education and other key services. 

This is all proposed to be set within a highly connected series of parklands and open space with enhanced green areas and a new high quality public realm with a network of links and proposals for a new community-focused sporting and recreational hub with enhanced opportunities for recreational activities. 

Exciting features of the plan include a proposed new raised pedestrian walkway, cycleway and public realm space: The Limerick Link. This proposed elevated walkway provides an opportunity to safely connect schools to new recreational areas south of the station while also connecting the various neighbourhoods together in a sustainable pedestrian/cycle friendly way. The The Limerick Link has the potential to be a landmark feature, connecting the Colbert area, to the wider city and beyond.

John Coleman, CEO of the Land Development Agency, commented: "The LDA's objective is to ensure the delivery of housing and supporting development on underused state land. While many of our projects are based on significant but single scheme infill sites, the LDA's other main objective is to create partnerships to unlock larger, strategic areas, which can truly transform a city. Colbert Station Quarter has the potential to deliver up to 2,800 homes in the heart of Limerick to create an attractive and sustainable focal point for future development. This is a key part of the vision for the LDA outlined in the recently published Housing for All strategy, which highlights major additional lands to be driven forward by the LDA, including those at Colbert. 

"We would like to thank our partners in Limerick City and County Council, CIE and HSE who have engaged and supported the process of exploring the potential for the Colbert Station Quarter from the outset and with whom we look forward to continuing to engage with as we move towards the delivery of the vision outlined in the Draft Spatial Framework."

The eight new districts to be created and integrated with the existing community are - provisionally named, Station District, Sexton District, Roxboro District, Ballysimon District, Carey's District, Calidonian District, Kennedy District and Janesboro District. The Draft Spatial Framework builds on the existing strengths and characteristics of each area and helps to emphasise them while also delivering new uses and opportunities.

Members of the public can help shape the Draft Spatial Framework via the consultation available here.