Marine investors get into the zone

The zoned lands has been incorporated into the Clare County Development Plan 2011-17 along with the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary, a major strategic plan for the future development and management of marine-related industry and tourism along Ireland’s largest estuary.

“While the SIFP attributes a very strong weight to the growth of shipping and safeguarding the commercial shipping lanes of the Shannon Estuary, it also contains objectives for marine tourism, leisure and recreation, commercial fishing and aquaculture, aviation, and energy and renewable energy,” said Tom Coughlan, chief executive, Clare County Council.

The newly zoned lands related to Strategic Development Locations (SDL) at Cathercon and Moneypoint where existing pier facilities and deep estuarial water provide potential for maritime industry investment.

Moneypoint SDL comprises around 280 hectares and is located on the Shannon Estuary, 5km east of Kilrush. The land bank also includes one of Ireland’s largest electricity generation stations.

“The marine related industry zoning recognises the importance of the existing Moneypoint Power Plant Facility and facilitates its expansion and/or redevelopment,” explained Gordon Daly, senior planner, Clare County Council. “It also includes over 50 hectares of lands to the east of the Power Plant not in the ownership of the ESB that could further harness the deepwater potential in this area which has excellent road access and is close to the town of Kilrush and the Killimer-Tarbert Ferry.”

The Shannon Estuary features 500km² of navigable water running from Loop Head and Kerry Head as far as Limerick City, a distance of 100km. The Estuary is Ireland’s premier deepwater port, supporting a variety of economic uses.

By Rachael Doyle