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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- Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O52 Co-operate with and facilitate Government agencies, and other bodies where feasible, in encouraging home-based employment including the provision of small-scale individual enterprises. Proposals which involve the change of use and/or new development for purposes of homebased employment will generally be considered favourably where it can be clearly demonstrated that a) the proposal is of an appropriate scale for its location; b) there are no adverse environmental, health and safety impacts, c) the proposal is without prejudice to residential amenity and d) the proposal will not detract from the vitality and viability of town or village centres. RE O53 Encourage the provision of live-work units as part of mixed-use developments in appropriate locations (particularly at ground floor level) to pro- vide accommodation for the creative sectors and small businesses and to facilitate homeworking. Such development should be of suitable de- sign so as to protect the amenity of adjacent residents. 4.10 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Kildare has a proven track record as an outstanding area to establish and develop a multinational business. The new gains will come from expansions of the existing base of foreign companies and new arrivals. Kildare is already an established base location for global brands seeking guaranteed and unfettered access to the EU single market, the largest market globally with 500 million. The Council has a solid corporate base with Kerry Foods, Intel, Hewlett Packard, Pfizer and Green Isle all based in Co. Kildare however it is still committed to facilitating the County to be more attractive to further inward investors (FDI and indigenous) by working to ensure needs-based services and infrastructure around the County and a renewed focus on our skilled talent pool. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O54 Support existing FDI large industrial companies in sustaining and expanding their businesses at appropriate locations. RE O55 Promote and develop key land banks and business parks in conjunction with IDA and Enterprise Ireland throughout the County, to build more sustainable communities, which target key priority business sectors. Action It is an action of the Council to: RE A6 Work with and support the LEO to develop a “Kildare” brand, which outlines the strengths of Kildare for FDI110
- 4.11 Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) relate to any business with under 250 employees. Kildare has a diverse SME sector which has very significant growth potential but has faced unprecedented challenges in the past number of years with Covid and Brexit. The Council acknowledges that the development of small-scale projects with longterm employment potential are important in sustaining both urban and rural settlements in County Kildare. The Council will work closely with the relevant agencies to actively promote and encourage the development of SME’s throughout the county. The Council further encourages such development within its towns and villages in particular. The Council will, however, take a proactive and flexible approach on a case- by-case basis in the identification and location of employment activity, where appropriate. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: RE P7 Work closely with the relevant agencies to actively promote and encourage the development of SME’s throughout the county, with a particular emphasis on locating these within its towns and villages. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O56 Support and promote proposals for SME business development in centres where existing infrastructural facilities are available or where they can be provided with services and good communications. RE O57 Support start-up businesses and small-scale industrial enterprises, particularly those that have a creative and innovative dimension, and which promote environmentally sustainable jobs. RE O58 Facilitate the development of SMEs at appropriate locations in urban/serviced rural areas in accordance with Government Policy “Our Rural Future; Rural Development Policy 2021-2025” (2021) and other relevant government agencies including the NTA and TII. RE O59 Only consider standalone coffee kiosks in limited circumstance where it can be demonstrated that; a) the proposal is of an appropriate scale for its location; b) there are no adverse visual, environmental and health and safety impacts, c) the proposal is without prejudice to residential amenity and d) the proposal will not detract from the vitality and viability of town or village centres. 4.12 Knowledge Economy Investment in ongoing education, training and personal development is recognised by the Government as having a critical role in economic development and international competitiveness. Local authorities have an important role in working with other state agencies to promote this ‘learning economy’ in partnership with public and private sectors. Kildare has specific assets in the education employment sectors, which may benefit from clustering in locations around ‘anchor’ institutions such as Maynooth University (Maynooth Campus).111
- Policy It is the policy of the Council to: RE P8 Support an entrepreneurial environment to protect and enhance smart specialisations with a strong learning economy culture. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O60 Support LEOs and local authorities to collaborate with the Regional Skills Fora managers, Higher Education Institutes, Education and Training Boards and local stakeholders to address skills shortages and life- long learning challenges. RE O61 Promote the development of a Technology and Innovation Park with Maynooth University subject to all relevant and cumulative environmental assessments and planning conditions within the Key Town of Maynooth, that will act as an anchor, supporting incubator, innovation and business development initiatives that are located to build upon research and technology activities in Maynooth University; with supporting transport infrastructure; broadband infrastructure; and a diverse local sectoral mix. RE O62 Support the further development of Maynooth University as a leading third level research and educational facility, and work with Maynooth University and other third level institutes (e.g. Tallaght and Carlow IT) to develop and improve linkages between the third level sector and relevant employment providers in the surrounding sub region and the county in general, particularly in the area of green technologies and social innovations. RE O63 Support and facilitate the development of a Centre of Excellence, which provides courses that support green and sustainable industries. RE O64 Encourage third level education in County Kildare through the provision of outreach / campus facilities for the accommodation of courses. RE O65 Support initiatives targeting unemployed people to access training, education and re-skilling that fits with business and employer needs. RE O66 Promote initiatives with relevant agencies, such as Solas and KWETB, to expand training and education services that will support business skills development in the county, such as ‘Start your own business’ courses. RE O67 Support UCD Lyons Farm as a centre of excellence and a third level teaching and agricultural research facility and to facilitate the delivery of key infrastructure, as appropriate subject to planning and environmental considerations. 4.13 Enterprise Development Enterprise development is the term used to describe a broad range of economic activity that produces a range of goods and services. It also includes ‘office- based industry’ producing an end product or service such as call centres, telephone or webbased services. Enterprise development uses should generally be provided in enterprise locations such as business or technology parks, or at town centre locations. It is important to ensure that there is adequate protection of the most suitable land for112
- expansion in this sector with particular reference to the employment hierarchy. Appropriately zoned land will be identified in the relevant Local Area Plans/Development Plans so that opportunities can be exploited as they arise and a range of choice provided to the investor. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O68 Support economic development, including business start-up companies, so as to maximise their business potential, and to promote a best practice enterprise culture that makes it easier to do business in Kildare. RE O69 Provide supports, guidance and solutions (together with the LEO office) that equip entrepreneurs, owners and managers with the skills to identify and exploit business opportunities and compete successfully within a competitive business environment. RE O70 Serve as a champion and advocate for the establishment of a best practice enterprise culture among start-ups, micro and small businesses, and promote enterprise and self-employment as a viable career option among the wider population, and particularly among school and college leavers. Also provide the skills to identify and exploit business opportunities and compete successfully within a competitive business environment. 4.14 Prevention of Major Accidents The Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 implements the SEVESO III Directive (2012/18/EU). Two firms in County Kildare fall within the terms of the SEVESO III Directive (2012/18/EU). The Directive seeks to prevent major industrial accidents that involve dangerous substances and to limit the consequences of accidents on people, property and the environment. In accordance with Section 10(2) (k) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), this Plan seeks to ensure that: • Proposals for new industries at risk of causing major accidents • Proposals for the expansion of existing industries designated under the directive; and • Other developments proposed near to existing SEVESO III industries take account of the need to prevent major accidents involving hazardous substances and safeguard the public, property and the environment. The industries that are currently covered are outlined in Table 4.2 below. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has been designated as the central competent authority for the enforcement of the SEVESO III Directive (2012/18/EU) and has established consultation distances for these facilities.113
- Establishment Address Consultation Distances Irish Industrial Explosives Clonagh, Enfield 1,000 metres (subject to further consultation with the HSA). Intel Ireland Ltd Industrial Park, Collinstown, Leixlip 1,000 metres (subject to further consultation with the HSA). Table 4.2 - Industries affected by the Seveso III Directive (2012/18/EU) It is also noted that Dachser Ireland Limited in South Dublin located in Rathcoole, is also a designated SEVESO III site. Policies It is the policy of the Council to: RE P9 Comply with the SEVESO III Directive (2012/18/EU), to reduce the risk of accidents and to limit the consequences of major industrial accidents by, where appropriate, taking into account the advice of the Health and Safety Authority and the Fire Authority where proposals for new developments are considered. RE P10 Have regard to the following in the preparation of spatial plans and in assessing planning applications for new development, or the expansion of existing development involving hazardous substances: • SEVESO III Directive (2012/18/EU) • The consultation distances and HSA technical advice in relation to the industries affected by the SEVESO III Directive (2012/18/EU). • Potential adverse impacts on public health and safety. • The need to maintain appropriate safe distances between residential areas, areas of public use and areas of natural sensitivity. • The need to minimise risk to strategic infrastructure. • The specialist advice of the Fire Authority. 4.15 Retail and Commercial Development The retail strategy for the county is set out in Chapter 8 and seeks to direct retail growth in accordance with a designated retail hierarchy and outline key considerations for the distribution of floorspace at each appropriate level. Like the commercial sector, the retailing sector contributes significantly to employment and provides access to goods and services. It is important to ensure that this sector is allowed to expand with a choice of locations either in town centres or on appropriate sites elsewhere as outlined in Chapter 8, while at all times having regard to protecting the vitality and viability of core town centre sites. Pre Covid-19, Kildare’s retail sector was employment-intensive. Covid-19 may serve to accelerate structural changes in the sector, including the move to digital and online.114
- Despite some retail activities (e.g. grocery) remaining open in the lockdown and experiencing an increase in demand, the sector as a whole has been badly affected, with over 60% of the national retail workforce, ca.180,000 people availing of income support at the peak of the restrictions 4.16 Data Centres (see also Data Centres & Energy in Chapter 7) It is Government Policy as set out in the National Planning Framework and the Government Statement on “The Role of Data Centres in Ireland” to promote Ireland as a sustainable international destination for Information Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure such as Data Centres. To date, some of the world’s best known companies including Microsoft, Google, IBM and Amazon AWS have chosen Ireland as the location for their European data centres. Kildare County Council acknowledges that data centres contribute to job creation during construction, maintenance and from associated areas such as research and development, data analytics, customer service, technical support, marketing and sales. Data centres generally need to be located in areas where there exists a significant and sustainable electricity supply, high powered fibre optic cables, good accessibility and on large land banks that are easily developable with future expansion possibilities. In addition, the Council is mindful that Data Centres should avoid sensitive landscapes and environments. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: RE P11 Support the accommodation of Data Centres at appropriate locations in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development of the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy (July 2022) subject to appropriate Transport, Energy and Environmental Assessments and all relevant planning conditions. The location of data centres shall be situated where they will not have a potential likely significant effect on a European Site. Such developments shall be subject to an AA Screening Report, and where applicable, Stage 2 AA. They shall have regard for any hydrological connection shared with a European Site and shall account for any potential likely significant effects and provide mitigation and monitoring where appropriate. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O71 Require that any application for a data centre will be subject to all relevant and cumulative environmental assessments and planning conditions and shall take account of the cumulative visual impact of the proposed connections of the data centre with electricity transmission, renewable energy and broadband infra- structure in the area.115
- RE O72 Require data centres to consider the use of sustainable renewable sources of energy to fuel their operations in whole in the first instance or in part (minimum of 30%) where this is not possible and where it has been satisfactorily demonstrated not to be possible, subject to all relevant and cumulative environmental assessments and planning conditions. 4.17 Green / Circular Economy and Bio-economy Climate change, sustainable development and the green economy are central policy concerns for global institutions and agencies including the UN, World Economic Forum, World Bank and EU. These themes are integrated into the strategies of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland and the NPF and RSES. It is therefore vital that the Development Plan recognises the importance of the green economy as industry mitigates and adapts to climate change. As part of a modern economy with leading global companies, sustainability in all its forms is considered a competitive necessity for business in Kildare. The central focus of sustainable development and the green economy requires that our economic policies adapt to context, reflecting the need to be resilient, adaptable and innovative. Innovation not only refers to technological and organisational change but also how land use is managed to support the green economy. The core strategy and settlement strategy of this Plan reflect the need for orderly growth to support the green economy and innovation. The bio-economy comprises ‘the production of renewable biological resources, such as crops, forests, fish, animals, and micro-organisms and the conversion of these resources and waste stream residues, by-products or municipal solid waste into value added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products and bioenergy’ (E.C. 2012). The transition to a more circular economy and bio-economy, where the value of biobased products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible, and the generation of waste minimised, will provide an essential contribution to Kildare developing a sustainable, low carbon, resources efficient and competitive economy. The Council will support the development of the bio-energy industry in the county (including bio-gas) where appropriate. The green and circular economy agenda will also reduce the use of peat within horticulture and agriculture which will reduce pressure on the environment and lower greenhouse gases, improving the situation for biodiversity and moving us in a direction of sustainable production. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: RE P12 Ensure that economic and enterprise related development is provided in a manner which facilitates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and accelerates the transition towards a sustainable, low carbon and circular economy. The following measures shall be supported: • An increase in employment densities within walkable distances of communities and on public transport routes. • Promotion of walking and cycling and use of public transport through increased permeability and mobility management116
- measures within and outside employment areas. • The sourcing of power from district heating and renewables including wind and solar. Additional native tree planting and landscaping on existing and proposed enterprise zones and development sites to aid with carbon sequestration, contributing to the green infrastructure network of the County and promoting quality placemaking. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O73 Ensure that climate action and sustainable development is central to economic development in the County through sustainable land use and orderly growth and a co-ordinated approach to the preparation and implementation of the Kildare County Council Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2019-2024) and the Local Economic and Community Plan (2016-2021) and any successors thereof. RE O74 Support the growth of business in the green and circular economy and use the European Green Deal as a roadmap, which promotes a sustainable framework for economic transition and development. RE O75 Promote net zero-carbon and carbon reduction in economic development through innovative design, low-carbon technology, use of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and roll out of district heating and other renewable energy projects. All these actions are outlined within the National Climate Action Plan 2021. RE O76 Support the measures contained within Kildare’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2019-2024), or any superseding plan, to integrate the Circular Economy approach with economic development initiatives. RE O77 Support the promotion of skills, education and awareness raising in the energy efficiency sectors, promoting smart technologies and well-connected communities. RE O78 Support and promote sustainable rural based enterprises particularly those that help in achieving climate action goals, and to move away from fossil fuels in favour of low and zero-carbon sources including renewable energy and secondary heat sources and to support the development of green technologies. RE O79 Support Bord Na Mona with proposals for their headquarters at Newbridge to become a Green Energy Hub, which focuses on the higher order aspects of the renewable energy industry and a climate action training centre. RE O80 Support the Local Enterprise Office and specifically the ‘Green for Micro’ programme which officially launched in March 2021. The main objective of this free service is to help small businesses prepare for a low carbon, resource efficient future. RE 081 Support the development of a skills programme in tackling the economic impact of the transition to a carbon neutral economy by 2050 on local communities in Kildare.117
- RE O82 Promote and facilitate Kildare as a viable location for the development of materials and technology, which support green industries (e.g retrofitting materials/sustainable recycling industries etc.) RE O83 Support and facilitate the development of a Green Enterprise Zone associated with the peat era in accordance with the provisions of Kildare 2025 Economic Development Strategy, subject to planning and environmental considerations. RE O84 Support EMRA in undertaking a bioeconomy feasibility study for the region to identify areas of potential growth to inform investment. 4.18 Agri-Food and Beverage Sector The importance of the food and beverage sector in Kildare is evident. With a strong agri-food base, the Kildare Food and Beverage Strategy 2021-2023 sets out the ambition to harness the strengths of the food landscape in the County and the actions needed to facilitate the growth of the sector in the throes of a Brexit and pandemic environment. The Kildare food landscape is diverse, typified by several very large food manufacturers, a modest number of small to medium producers and a strong cohort of farmers/growers. It is the policy of the Council to enhance the County’s food and beverage landscape. Pre Covid-19, our tourism and hospitality sectors were experiencing an upsurge, due in part to county Kildare’s growing reputation as a hospitality and food destination. The emergence of the Athy Food, Drink & Skills Innovation Hub will be a transformational catalyst for sectoral regeneration. It will revitalise an underutilised building into a powerhouse of food sector learning, innovation and production and will create a legacy impact. By collaborating with best-in-class industry, academic and training partners in the country, Athy Food, Drink & Skills Innovation Hub will be a strategic economic driver for job creation and innovation. It should also be noted that NOVA UCD were awarded €3 million for a collaborative project to develop an AgTech Connector Innovation Hub at the UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O85 Support the development of the Athy Food, Drink and Skills Innovation Hub and other appropriately located projects of this nature in the wider Athy Municipal District Area. RE 086 Support the development of an AgTech Connector Innovation Hub at the UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare. RE 087 Maximise the ability of communities to be self-sufficient in food production, energy savings and production, waste disposal etc.118
- RE O88 Create a strategy to develop and promote Monasterevin as a centre for Distilling and Brewing that builds on the history of Monasterevin (Cassidy Distillery and Brewing Co.) and the current investment at the Church of Oak Distillery. 4.19 Agriculture The changing nature and composition of Ireland’s economy will impinge directly upon the economic viability of the agricultural sector. In terms of employment, the Census 2016 shows that some 3% of the labour force of County Kildare is engaged in the agriculture, fishing and forestry occupational group. Another feature of the changing employment patterns in the sector is the growing number of part time farmers. Despite the decline of full-time agricultural employment, it is recognised that the agricultural industry is important to the Kildare economy and plays a major role in preserving and improving the natural environment. A total of 3,190 persons in County Kildare are engaged in farming, fishing and forestry as their primary employment (Census of 2016). Important areas for future development are the agri-food and horticulture sectors, both of which represent higher value-added activity than traditional agricultural enterprises. There is a need to recognise the economic value of agriculture and to protect productive agricultural land from inappropriate industrial, commercial or residential development. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: RE P13 Support and facilitate sustainable agriculture, horticulture, forestry and other rural enterprises at suitable locations in the County where there will be no potential for likely significant effects on a European Site or on a site that shares a hydrological connection to a European Site. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: RE O89 Protect agriculture and traditional rural enterprises from haphazard and/or incompatible development. RE O90 Promote the ‘Smart Farming’ initiative, the ‘Kildare Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2019)’ and the ‘National Climate Action Plan 2021’ to farmers across Kildare to inform them of environmental sustainability and resource management, so as to reduce CO2 production on farms in accordance with the National Climate Action Plan 2021. RE O91 Support the provision of allotments, community markets and gardens within each municipal district in the county.119
Source Kildare County Council: Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 4: Resilient Economy and Job Creation (2023–2029) · 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.