PQ Response- Update on the involvement of the Land Development Agency in the Colbert Lands, Limerick and Strand Road, Galway.

For Written Answer on : 10/03/2021
Question Number(s): 372 Question Reference(s): 12606/21
Department: Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Asked by: Eoin Ó Broin T.D.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 310 of 24 February 2021, the reason the response did not include an update on the involvement of the Land Development Agency in the Colbert Lands, Limerick and Strand Road, Galway; if the involvement of the Agency in these sites will be clarified; the way in which it differs to its involvement in the nine sites list in the response; and if the Agency plans to seek SDZ designation for either or both of these sites subsequent to the passing of the Land Development Agency Bill 2021.

REPLY

The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of the Land Development Agency Bill.

On establishment, the LDA had access to an initial tranche of 8 sites and is also working in partnership with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on the development of a site at Shanganagh.  In addition, the LDA is also working on masterplanning sites in partnership with relevant local authorities and other public bodies. These sites were not inlcuded in the response to Parliamentary Question No. 310 of 24 February 2021 as these sites are not as advanced in the planning process as the other nine sites and are medium term development opportunities.  These sites include the Colbert Station Quarter site in Limerick and the Sandy Road site in Galway.

The LDA have advised my Department that they are working with Limerick City and County Council, CIE and the HSE to prepare a Masterplan for the state owned lands in the Colbert Station Quarter. The Masterplan will explore the potential of the site to deliver on the aspirations of national and regional planning policy and provide a mixed use development. Once complete, the LDA will carry out a public consultation on the Draft Masterplan.

The LDA ran a design review of the Sandy Road Regeneration Project in partnership with Galway City Council. A procurement process to appoint a design team to prepare a detailed Masterplan is due to commence shortly. This Masterplan will explore the potential to deliver an affordable housing led mixed use regeneration of a strategic site on Sandy Road in Galway City.

Once the masterplanning process for both of these sites is complete, the LDA will continue to work with key partners on both sites to explore and agree the best method to activate the sites, including bringing forward development sites for planning approval and subsequent development. This process will include examining the potential for the designation of either site as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).