Limerick council staff shortlisted for award thanks to school strategy

LIMERICK council staff have been recognised by the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) for their efforts to get young people involved in the new development plan.

Local authority workers put together a consultation programme to engage young people in the preparation of the local development plan.

Passed last year, it is this strategy which governs what can be built and where across the city and county.

Now, Limerick City and County Council has been shortlisted for two prizes at the 2023 Irish Planning Awards, which will take place next month.

The council’s outreach programme was developed with teaching staff to ensure both planning and curriculum objectives were met and as a way to maximise the willingness of schools to participate.

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It was developed in two strands for both primary and secondary schools and saw students given the chance to look at the map of Limerick themselves and identify what they’d like to see in their local area.

Council is nominated in two categories: plan making and the special president’s award.

Also nominated in the plan making category is Clare County Council for its new plan for Shannon town centre.

Elsewhere, the Land Development Agency has been shortlisted in the sustainable communities and placemaking strategy.

This is for its Colbert Quarter Spatial Framework project.

It’s envisaged that through this, potentially 2,800 new homes will be developed alongside commercial space on public land around Limerick’s bus and rail station.

IPI president Mary MacMahon said: “The awards provide an excellent opportunity to reflect and promote the contribution of planning to society.”