Gormley to sanction city boundary extension as part of regeneration plan

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley will today sign an order in Limerick which will extend the city boundary on the north side of the city, bringing more than 7,000 suburban residents in the urban area.

The boundary extension was one of the proposals contained in the report prepared for the Government by former Dublin city manager John Fitzgerald to draw up a plan for the regeneration of Moyross and Southill.

From tomorrow, all of Southill will be within the city boundary.

The major residential area of Caherdavin will also transfer into the city from the county.

The new delineation of the city will mean an area covering more than 2,000 acres will be added to the urban area.

To compensate for the loss of rates and other revenue, Limerick County Council will be paid a total of €1.2 million over the next six years.

Mr Gormley established a Limerick Boundary Committee last October in the wake of the Fitzgerald proposals and this reported in January.

Limerick County Council gave its support to the transfer of estates on the north side of the Shannon into the city.

Mr Fitzgerald in his report said that Moyross and private housing on the north side of the city would have to transferred within the city for a balanced development of the entire area.

Mr Gormley will sign the order creating a bigger Limerick city at a ceremony this afternoon at the Watch House Cross Community Library in Moyross.

While the county council has rowed in with the boundary move on the north side of the city, it has made it quite clear it will oppose any move to try and extend the city boundary on the south side of Limerick to bring county suburbs such as Dooradoyle and Raheen within the city administrative area.

A row has already erupted between the city and county councils over a decision by the city authority to object to a huge €60 million expansion of the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle.

Limerick County Council wants the development by Marks & Spencer to go ahead.

However, the city council said it is going to object as the proposed expansion of the Crescent Shopping Centre on the grounds it would go against the retail plan for the greater Limerick area and hit city centre retailing.