shannon new town, co. clare

[CologneMike]

There is a good (sobering) article this week in the Limerick Post by Rebekah Commane. Dealing with a decade of downsizing at the Shannon Free Zone. According to a local representative 50 % of the buildings in the estate are vacant. Some are even saying that manufacturing in Ireland is dead (i.e. high costs).

One glimmer of light for the estate is called the West Park Business Campus. Where the business emphasis is on services such as finance, software, medical etc.

One gets the impression that the campus is or will be built around a small hill mound. According to their website phase 1 of Westpark Shannon business campus is now complete, comprising 3 of the 7 planned landmark buildings and phase 2 will comprise of the remaining 4 of 7 landmark buildings.

Anybody know if phase 2 has started and if so how many of the 7 blocks has been completed to date?

Previous post.

[reddy]

There're two buildings complete on the town side of the development and one other complete on the airport side.

I actually think they may have begun the next phase including a multistory car park structure. Not sure about that though.

Mainly seems to be aircraft leasing companies based there. GE Capital have taken one full building. Still a major amount of vacant space in there though. No sign of the restaurant building in the centre or the mature planting.

The buildings themselves are quite nice but completely unsustainable energy wise. They're fully air conditioned and with deep floor plates preventing optimum use of natural daylight.

I do think its pretty bizarre that they've allowed these to be built up here given the stagnating acres of land in the free zone below. Its amazing to drive round the old area to see the row upon row of empty buildings.

[CologneMike]

Shannon town plan goes on display

Shannon’s stand-alone town plan has been placed on public display by Clare County Council.

Up to now, Shannon has been incorporated into the South Clare Local Area Plan and dealt with beside other towns and villages locally.

Now, a draft Shannon Town and Environs Local Area Plan (2012-2018) has been published and will include Shannon town, airport lands, the Free Zone business park and other business parks.

Shannon councillor Gerry Flynn said the plan was a “very comprehensive document” that will influence “the future growth and development of Shannon”.

© 2011 The Irish Times

Clare County Council