County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied)

1. Page 11

   Cite this pagePDF p. 11 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 8 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition Despite the economic challenges posed by Brexit, the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and associated Northern Ireland Protocol (and related Windsor Framework political agreement) have allowed a softer trade border with NI than might have otherwise occurred and, combined with support from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund, will facilitate further enhancement of the existing strong cross border economic linkages in the North West City Region.

2. Page 12

   Cite this pagePDF p. 12 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 9 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition The emerging strategic issues which provide a context for the concept of a cross-border spatial strategy in terms of a vibrant, innovative, green and creative region are: • The need to develop a collaborative, place-based strategy with a shared vision, that is based on the principles of place making, smart growth & healthy places; • Potential for climate adaptation solutions to act as instigators for positive change; • Ensuring a strong focus on economic development and regional planning - identity, place and potential; • Establishing the City Region as a polycentric model promoting sustainable growth; • Agreeing a meaningful joint strategy with an emphasis on mobilising assets through a regional perspective on growth and competitiveness - centred on outcomes; and • Setting out a whole of City-Region stock take of assets. These strategic issues are the basis for setting out the pointers, principles and recommendations relevant to any future metropolitan spatial strategy where it can prove a worthwhile example of territorial cooperation to further build functionality across spatial borders. In this context the Strategic Issues focuses on: (i) The Settlement Structure – Recognises the settlements that require consolidation and where account is taken of the functionality, assets and needs of the rural hinterlands. Rural development considerations are integral to this strategic approach. The implications for the NWCR include placing a focus on Urban-Rural structures to ensure that all settlements contribute to the overall sustainable development of the City Region. The structure of the proposed metropolitan area is border-blind and inter-jurisdictional approaches are required to address the issues faced by the NWCR. Central to this is the aim to provide a co-decisionmaking context with citizens and other stakeholders to enable the planning of services to be visionary and proactive. (ii) The Economy – As one of the three pillars of regional growth guiding the collaborative activities of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership (NWSGP), the spatial strategy seeks to support a vision and the principles on which the region’s economy needs to be supported. A wholly integrated approach to economic planning which gives expression to the best practice principles of place making and strong regions, while also going beyond a policy template which

3. Page 13

   Cite this pagePDF p. 13 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 10 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition stops at the border, is required for the NWCR to tackle the negative impacts of its historical infrastructure baseline deficit, and deliver a just transition which addresses the acute economic and social inequalities experienced in the region’s economy. Existing cross border collaborative working and networking arrangements between key council staff and stakeholders already focuses across a range of sectors, including economic development, spatial planning, climate action, transport, education, health and tourism. In recognising the importance of existing collaborations, it will be essential that there is connectivity between these strands of work through a spatially-led approach to deliver the effective and sustainable development of the City Region. The paucity of comparable datasets for both jurisdictions is a barrier to evidence-based economic planning, and spatial planning more generally and consequently is a key issue for the development of the spatial strategy. (iii) Mobility & Accessibility - Mobility is a key determinant of economic prosperity, environmental quality, quality of life and the level of community interaction that can take place. Within the existing NW structures there is a shared commitment to continue to strengthen external transport linkages at the regional scale and central to this is a recognition that future transport networks must reflect the polycentric nature of the region’s settlement pattern and increase connectivity among the cities, towns and villages and that inter-jurisdictional collaboration is required to deliver services and a meaningful modal shift in transport. Diversifying the modal choice is integral to regional competitiveness and to ensuring that transport planning is linked to housing, employment, education, health and leisure provision. (iv) Environment – Climate change will impact on land-use and on demands on natural resources into the future. Achieving climate neutrality and green transformation requires place-based leadership, drawing on the potential of spatial strategy-making processes to act as instigators of change rather than simply regulators of development. A key consideration for the spatial strategy is the preparation of a common framework for spatial and environmental planning setting a context for a joint landscape character assessment, flood risk management, adaptive design approaches to development, increase awareness of the potential of the sea as a source of renewable energy, and sustainable governance of maritime resources in the context of new legislation. (v) Community Wellbeing – There is an identified role for local authorities in determining and influencing the health outcomes of local communities. This underpins the clear relationship between approaches to effective community wellbeing and spatial planning through activated relationships, working processes and models of implementation and accountability. The COVID- 19 pandemic has emphasised for everyone the relevance of spatial planning and population health outcomes. The pandemic created space for innovation in policy and service delivery that responded to health needs and emphasised the interdependencies between economic, social and physical/environmental factors in the North West. Ultimately there is a need for a just transition in spatial planning terms that reflect the extent to which a cross border spatial planning framework takes account of, activates and mobilises the necessary joined-up working required to ensure an effective and sustainable future.

4. Page 14

   Cite this pagePDF p. 14 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 11 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition 2.3 Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre This section sets out the distinctive and exceptional importance of Letterkenny in terms of its role and significance to the county and to the region. A clear and consistent strategy for the development of the town is required to be set out by way of identifying the key development issues and policy responses for the future development of the area to complement the policies for Letterkenny and the wider Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan (LRGCSP), and aligned with LRGCSP objectives and in turn, to ensure achievement of the town’s future ambitions to realise, inter alia. the critical mass of population, employment creation, healthcare provision, student attraction, and sustainable transport needs. Letterkenny is one of the Country’s five designated Regional Centres as set out in the National Planning framework (NPF) and in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). Located within the ‘North- West City Region’, the 4th largest urban agglomeration on the island of Ireland and a key enabler of regional growth, and in a cross border Derry-Letterkenny City region. This geographical gateway provides regional access to the EU and UK markets. Letterkenny thereby has a unique position not only in Donegal but regionally, nationally and internationally. The NPF places Letterkenny near the top of the county’s settlement hierarchy in addition to its ‘Regional Centre’ status and recognises that while Letterkenny performs at a different scale to that of a city, it exhibits many of a city’s core characteristics. The LRGCSP as set out in the RSES provides a framework for growth and investment as the primary urban centre in Donegal centred on four key strategic outcomes that are closely aligned with the national strategic outcomes and priorities of the NPF and the eight strategic aims of the Regional development strategy (RDS 2035): This Plan, alongside the Letterkenny Plan 2023-2029, will provide for the planned development of all areas within the RGCSP through the land use zoning priorities, phasing of zoning and alongside the delivery of the town centre Regeneration Strategy‘ Letterkenny 2040’. Outcomes are: • Building Inclusive and Compact Places; • Investing in Connected and Accessible Places; • Planning for a Vibrant Economy and Nurturing Communities; and • Creating Resilient Places and Low- Carbon Infrastructure.

5. Page 15

   Cite this pagePDF p. 15 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 12 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, Vision as set out in (NWRA RSES, 2019): 1. Compact growth and delivery of residential development for an expanding regional centre. 2. Regeneration and renewal projects. 3. Indigenous employment and FDI. 4. Retail. 5. Critically enabling Strategic Infrastructure for Letterkenny. Letterkenny Strategic Growth Ambitions: • Increasing the population to a small city scale of at least 35,000 people towards 2040. • Providing an additional 5,000-6,000 jobs over the same period; • Support for further expansion and development of the ATU Achieved through the following Growth Ambitions: • POPULATION & HOUSING: 15,000 more people & 4,500 more homes • ACTIVE TRAVEL & PUBLIC TRANSPORT: a town centre regional transport hub, enhanced Public transport bus service, and delivery of Active travel schemes connecting communities. • WATER SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE: Capitalise on Regional centre and NWCR Status. • EDUCATION: Achieving University status and attracting 1,000 additional students. • PLACE MAKING: Regeneration and reimagining the town centre through Letterkenny 2040 Regeneration Strategy. • PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT: Letterkenny Green Connect, Town centre regeneration and investment and Alpha/ Beta Innovation Centre.

6. Page 16

   Cite this pagePDF p. 16 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 13 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition ACHIEVEMENT OF THE STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. Achievement of these strategic goals and objectives requires a clear consistent approach to ensure needs are addressed and infrastructure deficits are identified. The following critically enabling strategic infrastructure has been identified in the NPF, the RSES and the Letterkenny Plan. All of these have commenced, albeit that they are at varying stages in the development and implementation process. Critically Enabling and Transformative Projects Currently Underway for Letterkenny: 1. Donegal TEN-T Improvement Scheme. Strategic Regional Connectivity (N-13, N-14, and N15) including the N-56 strategic link across the River Swilly. 2. Letterkenny Urban Design and Masterplan for Town Centre. 3. Regional Transport Hub. 4. LYIT Campus Extension. 5. Urban Greenway/Central Linear Park Development within Letterkenny, integrating with the Letterkenny – Burtonport, River Swilly Greenway. 6. Development of Letterkenny Social Enterprise Centre. 7. Creating a ‘Smart’ Regional Centre. 8. Town Centre Living Scheme: Regeneration of Derelict and Vacant Sites. 9. Development of Town Centre Enterprise Quarter. The Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan, 2023-2029 (‘the LAP’) sets out in section 4.3 the ‘Infrastructural deficits, consequences and challenges across the following sectors: Transportation, Wastewater Infrastructure, Water Infrastructure, Flood Defence Infrastructure, and Town Centre Challenges. Whilst development can be accommodated in the short-to medium term, subject to further upgrades in terms of treated water capacity for example, it is clear that the nationally and regionallysupported ambition of growing Letterkenny to a Regional Centre of scale will not be realised if infrastructural deficits and challenges remain unresolved. Objective DSC1 in Chapter 6 of the LAP sets out as to how these matters should be progressed and the lead agencies and partners necessary to deliver on these deficits: LAP OBJECTIVE DSC1: To work strategically with other key stakeholders to deliver resolutions to the key infrastructural deficits constraining the growth ambitions for Letterkenny. 2.4 Atlantic Economic Corridor The NPF describes the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) concept as: ‘ a term applied to a linear network along the Western seaboard, stretching from Kerry to Donegal, which has the potential to act as a key enabler for the regional growth objectives of the National Planning Framework. The corridor straddles parts of both the Northern and Western Region and the Southern Regions, with

7. Page 17

   Cite this pagePDF p. 17 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 14 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition the potential to further extend its scope by building on the cross-Border relationship between Letterkenny and Northern Ireland, and into Cork City and County to the south.’ Figure 2.1 – Atlantic Economic Corridor (reproduced from NWRA RSES) The NPF goes on to note that: ' … the overarching objective of the AEC initiative is to maximise the infrastructure, talent and enterprise assets along the western seaboard and to combine the economic hubs, clusters and catchments of the area to attract investment, improve competitiveness, support job creation and contribute to an improved quality of life for the people who live there. The lack of high-quality connectivity between the regions within the AEC has been a major impediment to its development as a counter-balance to Dublin and the East coast. The improvement of regional connectivity along the Western seaboard, linking together the major urban areas to allow the AEC achieve its potential, is a major priority.’ Donegal County Council will continue to campaign for the realisation of the potential of the region, and its ambitions for the County, through its participation in the North West Strategic Growth Partnership, the Shared Island initiative and other relevant forums. This is reflected in the ‘Key Strategic Objective’ below. 2.5 Key Strategic Objectives of the County Development Plan S-O-1 To plan for population growth to 183,500 people by 2031 in line with the NPF, and to seek to realise a further population uplift of upwards of 200,000 people by 2040. S-O-2 To assert County Donegal as having a key role within the area of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, including realising the potential of the North- West City Region and the Atlantic Economic Corridor. S-O-3 To support growth of the County through an ‘All of County Strategy’ in order to ensure effective development and to harness particular strengths and opportunities that exist within the different areas of the County.

8. Page 18

   Cite this pagePDF p. 18 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 15 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition S-O-4 To support the development and implementation of a sustainable economic model for County Donegal embracing growth in areas such as innovation, research and development, rural diversification, tourism initiatives, energy advances and the promotion of sustainable start up enterprises as an integral component of accelerating socio-economic growth throughout the County and in a Regional, Cross Border and National context. S-O-5 To prioritise regeneration and renewal of the County’s towns, villages and rural areas in order to support vibrant and strengthened communities and drivers of economic growth. S-O-6 To protect, enhance and appropriately harness the unique quality and diversity of the environment in the County, through a wide range of measures, supported by proper planning and sustainable development. S-O-7 To progress and ultimately carry out/implement the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal (TEN-T PRIPD) as one of critical strategic importance to Donegal subject to the granting of the required statutory approvals for same and the terms and conditions of any such approvals (if granted). S-O-8 To retain, promote, and drive Donegal’s position as a premier domestic and international tourism destination, with a focus on developing green, regenerative and sustainable tourism. S-O-9 To maintain the strategic function, capacity and safety of the national roads network, and to ensure that the existing extensive transport networks, discrete sections of which have been enhanced are maintained to a high level to ensure quality levels of service, safety, accessibility and connectivity to transport users.

9. Page 19

   Cite this pagePDF p. 19 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 16 Chapter 2 Vision and Ambition

10. Page 20

    Cite this pagePDF p. 20 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
    County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 17

Source Donegal County Council: County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied) (2024–2030) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.