Development plan · Kildare County Council
Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 4: Resilient Economy and Job Creation
One part of the council's development plan written statement, which the council publishes in parts. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Kildare County Council · 2023–2029 · 48 pages
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- Aim: To provide for the future well-being of the residents of the county by creating a strong and resilient economic base, providing expanded opportunities for employment and facilitating a good quality of life within vibrant and attractive places to live, work, visit and invest. Chapter 4 Resilient Economy & Job Creation 4.1 Introduction The preparation of the 2023-2029 Development Plan takes place within a period of significant economic flux. The Plan takes in the context of major challenges – the Covid-19 pandemic and recession, Brexit and climate change. It has never been more important to plan and prepare a roadmap for a resilient, sustainable economy. The Plan’s focus is on a smart recovery based on entrepreneurship and investment, climate action and exploiting new opportunities. According to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Charter, inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, together with innovation and infrastructure, can unleash dynamic and competitive economic forces that generate employment and income. They play a key role in introducing and promoting new technologies, facilitating international trade and enabling the efficient use of re- sources. Innovation and technological progress are key to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges, such as increased resource and energy-efficiency. Covid-19 has ushered in a digital transformation in the way we work and communicate. Working from home has the potential to make a permanent impact on regenerating communities and to some extent town centres. For countless businesses, remote working practices will be part of their new norm, and smart co-working hubs need to be positioned throughout Kildare to provide structured, well connected, professional working environments. The Covid-19 pandemic has also altered the purchasing habits of many people. Businesses have had to accelerate the digitisation of their businesses or simply lose out. Many Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have had to undertake transformative digitalisation of their enterprises to adapt to this new business landscape, and for many, this is very much seen as their new business model. Notwithstanding the economic and global turmoil since March 2020, the Economic Social Research Institute (ESRI) Quarterly Economic Commentary Spring 2021 has concluded that the Irish economy is well positioned to recover strongly once the threat from COVID-19 recedes. The Development Plan must encourage this recovery through enabling businesses to operate more efficiently. This Development Plan faces the challenge of responding proactively to circumstance and facilitating a built-in resilience and strength to the County’s economy through providing for attractive places to work and a broad employment base.91
- 4.2 Economic Development and Climate Action Climate change, sustainable development and the green economy are now central policy concerns for the international and national community, forming a central role to the strategy of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. The transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society is also a national strategic outcome of the National Planning Framework (NPF). It is therefore vital that the Development Plan realises its role in the delivery of the green economy. The compact growth approach taken in this Development Plan, with its potential for helping to achieve climate action targets at local and national level, applies not just to residential development but also to economic development within the County. Lands zoned for uses related to employment and economic development account for a total of 1554.92 Hectares of zoned land in the County, not including the wide range of commercial and retail businesses which bring life to our towns and villages. Ensuring that we put the right employment in the right place, building on sustainable mobility and the potential for active travel will have a significant impact on the realisation of our local and national climate action targets. The source of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) from the industrial and commercial sectors is essentially from the activities and processes used in the manufacturing industries. These include combustion emissions from industrial and commercial activities, including processes used in food and drinks production. Fossil fuels are also used for the heating and cooling of industrial and commercial buildings. Energy efficient gains are achievable in this sector through innovative design, low-carbon technology, use of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and roll out of district heating and other renewable energy projects. In addition, sustainable development requires that our economic strategy is resilient, adaptable and innovative. 4.3 Planning Policy Context Development Plan policies and objectives relating to economic development, job creation and business innovation must be consistent with national and regional planning policy as set out in the National Planning Framework (2018) (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (2019) (RSES). National Strategic Outcome 5 of the NPF seeks a strong economy for the country supported by enterprise, innovation and skills. It is recognised that this fully depends on creating places that can foster enter- prise and innovations and attract investment and talent. Similarly, Strategic Outcome 3 seeks strengthened rural economies and communities. Nationally, there is an objective to ‘regenerate and rejuvenate cities, towns and villages of all types and scale as environmental assets, that can accommodate changing roles and functions, increased residential population and employment activity and enhanced levels of amenity and design quality, in order to sustainably influence and sup- port their surrounding area’. The role of funding under the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Fund in applying a tailored approach to development is set out in National Policy Objective 7.92
- County Kildare’s Local Economic Community Plan (LECP) will be reviewed during the preparation of this Development Plan and a co-ordinated approach to policy and actions in both plans will be pursued. There are many other relevant national and regional policy objectives which will influence, nurture and promote the economic development of County Kildare. These are referenced within the individual subsections. The RSES supports the implementation of Local Authority Local Economic and Community Plans (LECP) in collaboration with Local and Economic Development Committees (LCDCs). 4.3.1 Kildare Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) 2016-2021 The Council is obliged under the Local Government Reform Act 2014 to develop a 6- year LECP for the County. This Plan is required to be consistent with the County Development Plan (and the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy). It provides economic and community objectives that promote and support the economic and local community development of the County. In addition to the Food Science, Equine and Technology sector for which Kildare is internationally renowned, Tourism and Recreation are noted as key sectors in both the economic and social development of the County. These provide noteworthy opportunities for employment and wealth generation, and also facilities and infrastructure that enhance the quality of life for residents. This is reflected within the policy framework of the Kildare LECP. The LECP is now required to be reviewed to ensure compliance with the adopted RSES. The review of the Local Economic & Community Plan will illustrate how strengthening community infrastructure could support the priority of achieving critical mass and moving people closer to enterprise support agencies such as LEO. 4.3.2 Kildare 2025 (Economic Development Strategy); Kildare 2025 is the County’s Economic Development Strategy, outlining a roadmap for attracting new investment, sustaining existing industry and enterprises, and ensuring long-term and sustainable growth for Kildare. It was adopted in 2021 and outlines a longer-term economic vision for County Kildare. It informs and provides a strategic policy framework for Kildare’s Local Economic and Community Plan (LCEP) and County Development Plan. It is the intention of the Council to produce five-year strategic plans to guide economic development and investment up to 2040 commencing with this period up to 2025. The Kildare 2025 Economic Development Strategy aligns with the National Planning Framework (NPF) Project Ireland 2040 and the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES).93
- The eight key focus areas in Kildare 2025; These eight focus areas are underpinned by three enabling actions; The focus will be on developing the County’s Key Towns, in particular, to act as economic drivers and provide for strategic employment locations supported by the regionally important self-sustaining growth towns and self-sustaining towns. The future development of Kildare’s Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) area, as outlined in the RSES, will support the future growth of the wider Metropolitan Area through the strategic development of the North-West corridor which has been identified through MASP along the Maynooth/Dunboyne commuter line/DART. In 2016 Kildare had a population of 222,504 persons and the labour force was 106,849 persons. In the same census, Kildare had the 6th highest rate of outbound commuters in the State. Of the 95,345 workers residing in Kildare, 39.1% or 37,193 commute to areas outside the county. The top employment destinations for Kildare workers are: Dublin City (15,481), South Dublin (10,593), Fingal (3,324), Dún Laoghaire Rathdown (2,810) and Meath (969). 33% of Kildare’s resident workers are employed in the Dublin Metropolitan Area. In total, 31,710 workers commute from Kildare into the Dublin Metropolitan Area. Highest rates are primarily located in the north-east of the county proximate to settlements; Naas, Celbridge, Leixlip and Maynooth, where many parts94
- have in excess of 50% of workers commuting into the Dublin Metropolitan Area. By comparison, in excess of 33% of all jobs in Kildare are occupied by persons living outside the county. Of the 62,985 jobs located in Kildare, 21,195 are filled by persons commuting into the county. The top worker origins are; Laois (3,189), South Dublin (3,141), Meath (2,480), Dublin City (2,462) and Offaly (1,607). Of the key employment settlements in Kildare, Naas (10,999) has the largest concentration of jobs, which accounts for 17.5% of all jobs in Kildare. Of this number, 8,115 persons commute into Naas, making it a key commuting destination in the county. Newbridge (6,526) has the second highest number of jobs followed by Leixlip (5,825). This labour force will continue to increase and it will be important to promote employment-generating activities that reflect the education and skills base of the County’s population. The jobs ratio provides a good indicator of the balance that exists between the location of the labour force and the location of jobs. It is often used as an indicator to measure the sustainability of settlements, and it is suggested that it should not fall below 0.70. The Plan seeks to foster employment creation and maximise the jobs potential in appropriate locations throughout the county, to achieve a greater alignment between population and employment opportunities. It is important to ensure that there is an adequate supply of zoned land for employment purposes at appropriate locations to accommodate employment growth. There is a total of 1098 hectares of zoned undeveloped land available for employment purposes in the County. This offers significant potential for future economic development within these key centres. Adequate infrastructure is essential to facilitate future economic development in the county. In this regard, Kildare County Council will continue to work with infrastructure providers to secure adequate water services, effective public transport, energy, telecommunications, waste management and education facilities to support employment development. Quality of life considerations are also a key component for investment and this Plan seeks to protect the attributes that make Kildare an attractive place to live and work. Indicators such as commuting times, availability of key services and recreation opportunities and the quality of the built and natural environment are important. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O1 Facilitate and support the growth of the economy in Kildare and the Greater Dublin Area in a sustainable manner, and in accordance with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. RE O2 Continue to promote Kildare, together with the Kildare Local Enterprise Office and national development agencies, as a strategically located economic and employment hub within the Greater Dublin Area and support and facilitate the development of an environment that fosters innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship but also maintains a core focus on issues around climate change and biodiversity. RE O3 Encourage mixed-use settlement forms and sustainable centres, in which employment and residency are located in close proximity to each other and strategic multi-modal transport corridors, and to reduce long distance commuter trends and congestion.95
- RE O4 Work with the business community and continue to develop, encourage and create an environment that supports innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship within the county. RE O5 Ensure a high-quality living environment in Kildare which will help to retain the county’s indigenous skilled population and to attract additional high skilled labour into the county, and seek to address any deficit in social infrastructure, which would act as an impediment to a high-quality living environment. RE O6 Support enterprises and industry, including employment-intensive international business and technology parks, small and medium enterprises (SME) and micro enterprise centres at appropriate locations throughout the county. RE O7 Support the use of town centre locations for new service focused enterprises. RE O8 Consult with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) on an on-going basis, particularly through the preparation of the County’s Local Area Plans, with respect to requirements regarding motorway building lines and ensure that zoning for employment uses will be carried out in a manner which protects the capacity of and investment in, the national road network. RE O9 Seek to ensure that any significant future employment developments in the vicinity of the strategic road network will be accompanied by a mobility management plan that seeks to provide for an appropriate level of non-car based transport options, utilising the strategic public transport network. RE O10 Work with Irish Water, to support the provision of water, wastewater treatment and waste management facilities to accommodate the future eco- nomic growth of the county and to seek to reserve capacity in water ser- vices infrastructure for employment generating uses. RE O11 Facilitate the development of, and upgrade to, the broadband and fibre network of the county. RE O12 Acquire suitable land (subject to the availability of funding), including where appropriate, disused sites in State ownership and town centre sites, for creative and innovative entrepreneurial initiatives and the provision of clustered incubator units and digital hubs. RE O13 Support the provision of new postal facilities and the enhancement of existing facilities, including operational requirements, in the County and to facilitate the provision of postal infrastructure at suitable locations in the county. RE O14 Work with EirGrid and ESB Networks to support the provision of a resilient electricity supply and distribution system to accommodate the future economic growth of the county and to facilitate the transition of heat and transport from fossil fuels to electricity. RE O15 Ensure that economic development that is urban in nature should be located in urban areas and will not be permitted to re-locate to the countryside or to un-serviced rural areas.96
- RE O16 Support the implementation of the ‘Local Just Transition Plan for West Kildare, 2022’ a focus of which, through identified thematic actions, is to help communities benefit from new business, income and job creation opportunities in existing and emerging industries. Actions It is an action of the Council to: RE A1 Undertake an evidence-based assessment, together with the LEO, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, to inform the location of strategic employment sites throughout Kildare. The assessment shall ensure that sufficient land is zoned for economic activity through the Development Plan and Local Area Plans, in accordance with the National Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Such land will be protected from inappropriate development that would prejudice its long- term development for employment and economic activity. RE A2 Undertake, within the first 2 years from the adoption of the Plan, an audit of business/enterprise/ industrial parks in Kildare to identify the existing range of facilities, as well as infrastructural and service deficits, in order to plan for current and future needs. 4.4. Economic Development Hierarchy Hierarchy Description Locations Sectoral Opportunities Key Towns (Naas & Maynooth) Large towns which are economically active that provide employment for their surrounding areas and have a wide catchment. Naas Naas – High quality high-density indigenous and Foreign Direct Investment within Millennium Park and the northwest quadrant of Naas town. Technology, IT and digital/tech sector including incubator units and shared space. Strengthen employment base through Tech Hub – MERITS Co-working space providing supports for technology entrepreneurs. Key Towns have varying economies and sectors. High-tech manufacturing and research; Food processing and research including the development of food incubation units.97
- Hierarchy Description Locations Sectoral Opportunities High Quality transport links and the capacity to act as regional drivers to complement the Regional Growth Centres. Maynooth Re-intensification of industrial lands in the northeast of the town. Exploit historic and amenity assets, regeneration of town centre to provide significant retail and commercial functions. Maynooth – knowledgebased employment focusing on ICT and manufacturing through the development of a research and technology campus. Further development of Maynooth University as a leading third level research and educational facility – potential synergies to large new and established employers. Development of St Patrick’s College Campus for a mix of uses. Strategic Developm ent Areas in the MASP1 Leixlip – Former Hewlett Packard site and Collinstown site to Strengthen employment base for North Kildare. Maynooth - New Research & Technology Park adjoining Maynooth University. North-West Corridor (Maynooth/ Dunboyne commuter line /DART) Business Parks comprising knowledge- based economy focusing on high tech/biotechnology, research and development, ICT and manufacturing. Research and Technology Self- Sustaining Growth Towns Moderate level of jobs and services. Newbridge Leixlip Kildare Town Athy Biotechnology, ICT, professional services, High-tech manufacturing and research. Bloodstock, tourism, manufacturing, logistics, food and beverage products. 1 Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP)98
- Hierarchy Description Locations Sectoral Opportunities Self- Sustaining Towns High levels of population growth and a weak employment base. Celbridge Kilcock Monasterevin Clane Biotechnology, knowledge based digital enterprise, tourism, food and beverage products. Towns Local service and employment functions near higher order urban areas. Sallins Kilcullen Kill Prosperous Rathangan Athgarvan Castledermot Derrinturn Small scale industry, diversification of the rural economy, new economic opportunities arising from digital connectivity and indigenous innovation and enterprise as well as more traditional natural and resource assets (e.g. food, energy, tourism) Table 4.1 – Economic Development Hierarchy Table The following sections, together with Table 4.1 above outline the hierarchy of employment centres, and the sectoral strengths for each settlement: 4.4.1 Strategic Development Areas in the MASP2 The MASP is a key policy driver which sets out an integrated land use and transportation strategy for the sequential development of the Dublin Metropolitan Area. The Dublin Metropolitan Area includes the highly urbanised settlements of Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock which have strong connections to Dublin City and County. A Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan is included in the RSES. Strategic Development Areas have been identified at key nodes along high-quality public transport corridors in tandem with the delivery of infrastructure and enabling services. Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock are located along the North-West corridor. In Maynooth, a new research & technology park adjoining Maynooth University has been identified for strategic economic development. In Leixlip, the former Hewlett Packard site and Collinstown site have been identified as strategic employment areas. The focus is on achieving critical mass in the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) area (Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock). 2 Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) of the Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy for the Eastern Mid- lands Region99
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