Development plan · Leitrim County Council
Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Leitrim County Council · 2023–2029 · 398 pages
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- The largest employer in Co. Leitrim in a single location is Vista Med in Carrick-on-Shannon who have expanded their operations over the past 5 years. The Carrick Business Campus can also be seen as a regional asset with significant further employment potential and features prominently in the Economic Strategy as a resource that can be promoted to achieve large-scale high value employment for the county and within the wider region. The outbound commuter rate reflects the importance of the wider region to the local economy of Co. Leitrim and the general principle that what is good economically for the county’s neighbours is also good for Co. Leitrim, and vice-versa. Carrick-on-Shannon has been identified as a Key Town within the RSES and as such it is the principal settlement regarding economic development and the provision of employment opportunities. Manorhamilton and Ballinamore play a key role in terms of providing strong employment opportunities in the north and east of the county. Leitrim also has an array of attractive smaller towns and villages that are well-served by public and community based services and facilities. NOTE: A detailed analysis of the Economic Profile of the County based on the 2016 Census and POWSCAR analysis is available in Appendix I. This covers the following topics : Overview of Labour Market Principal Economic Status Commuting Patterns Jobs to Population Ratio Third Level/Higher Education Attainment Socio Economic Groups of Persons at Work Employment in Selected Towns in 2011-2016 Agency Supported Employment 4.4 Key Principles The Development Plan contains several key principles which are important in facilitating the economic growth of the County. These include: ● Linking the economic and spatial dimensions of the Plan by aligning economic growth with the Settlement Hierarchy focusing on key employment locations as drivers for growth and recognising the critical role of rural places in the economic development of the county. ● Providing a sufficient quantum of appropriately zoned and serviced lands to facilitate enterprise opportunities and employment creation in our key towns. ● Ensuring that existing and planned infrastructure (including water services, transportation and telecommunications) is in place to serve the identified zoned lands. ● Identification of key industry and business sectors supported by policy objectives to accommodate their anticipated needs, where appropriate to include recognition of the rural nature of Co. Leitrim. ● Ensuring positive placemaking through the development of a network of attractive and sustainable towns, villages and rural areas throughout the county for people to live, work and recreate within. ● Adopting a proactive and supporting culture within the Local Authority to support enterprise creation and employment provision in all of our actions. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 71 4 Economic Development
- 4.5 Economic Vision for Co. Leitrim The stated Economic Vision for Co. Leitrim is for: “A vibrant economy making a significant contribution to the well-being, skills and aspirations of those working and living in Co. Leitrim, and the wider North West region, through the provision of sustainable employment and business opportunity in the traditional and emerging knowledge-orientated sectors”. By realising this Vision, the number of jobs in key targeted sectors including agriculture and food, manufacturing, financial and ICT, business and professional services, creative and arts, renewable energy supply and green economy, retail town centre and services, and tourism, accommodation, hospitality and outdoor/adventure sports and recreation will increase and thereby both maximise knowledge-orientated economy activity and broaden the economic base of the county. It is a cross cutting theme of this Plan to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of Co. Leitrim in order to make it one of north west region’s prime locations for indigenous and foreign economic and employment generating investment. To fulfil this Economic Vision, the Local Authority will continue to promote the county as a cost-competitive and wellconnected investment location in the north west. This vision will guide ongoing external engagement processes between the Local Authority and the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and other agencies who contribute to employment growth and sustainable economic development in the county and its wider region. In relation to addressing the loss of jobs in the county generally between 2011-2016, it is considered that the growth in jobs may be positively assisted post COVID-19 with increasing numbers working from home, persons opting to work remotely or from local hubs where available. The County Development Plan and LECP should seek to reduce the extent of out commuting (44%) which may also be assisted by current trends towards remote working. The Economic Vision for Co. Leitrim will be achieved by focused, high level and sector-specific actions. These actions will be coordinated by Leitrim County Council, working in tandem with partner stakeholders locally and regionally, and with periodic monitoring and appraisal as to their effectiveness. Key structures in this regard under the auspices of the Council are the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for Economic Development and the High Level Advisory Group on Economic Development (HLAG). This pattern of geographical concentration of activity is likely to continue with Tier 1 and Tier 2A towns (Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton and Ballinamore) likely to be the principal locations for Foreign Direct Investment. Small business growth is envisaged to occur throughout the county in various sectors, including agri-food, tourism and in activities such as the creative arts and digital content sector, where Co. Leitrim has a strong tradition. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I72 4 Economic Development
- STRATEGIC POLICIES ED SP 1 To provide and promote a strategic economic development strategy that identifies a hierarchy of employment centres related to the overall development strategy of the county which will encourage a more balanced and sustainable pattern of employment across the county. ED SP 2 To encourage economic and employment development by encouraging mixed use settlement forms in which employment and residency are in close proximity to each other whereby the overall demand for transport is reduced. ED SP 3 To improve the jobs ratio level in Co. Leitrim and address commuting patterns by building up the local economy to a more sustainable level through: a) fostering employment creation and maximising job potential and designated growth centres. b) seeking to advance the preparation of a new economic strategy for Leitrim in the LECP which would be specifically tailored to concentrate certain types of industries/sectors into certain designated economic growth areas/centres. c) assisting IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and other state agencies in the development and growth of companies based in Co. Leitrim and high potential start-up companies with an export led business in international markets. ED SP 4 To promote rural economic development, recognising the need to advance the long term sustainable social and environmental development of rural areas and encouraging economic diversification and facilitating growth of rural based enterprises. ED SP 5 To implement the Leitrim County Retail Strategy 2023 – 2029 as provided in Section 4.11 of this chapter. ED SP 6 To support the transition towards a low carbon economy including the support of the provision of ‘Green Infrastructure’. 73LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 4 Economic Development
- 4.6 Local Economic and Community Plan Leitrim Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) is a six-year plan (2015-2021) containing the measures necessary to promote and support community and economic development in our county. The vision of our LECP is “Leitrim, A Vibrant County with Big Ambition where our communities are safe and healthy, our resources and heritage are sustained, and our economy is thriving”. The LECP then outlines a roadmap consisting of themes, objectives, targets and actions to realise this vision. The LECP sets out economic and community objectives that will promote and support the economic development and the local and community development of the county. The LECP addresses a wider range of community issues, including developing infrastructure to address social exclusion, poverty and disadvantage, reverse social and economic decline and to realise growth potential and the sustainability of communities. The LECP is required to complement the County Development Plan which sets the spatial planning framework for the county. The LECP must be consistent with the broad spatial planning, settlement and land use policies of the Development Plan. The LECP states that if a review of the County Development Plan is carried out at any time during the lifetime of the LECP, then the LECP will in turn be reviewed to ensure its ongoing complementarity with the County Development Plan. The Economic Strategy contained in the LECP contains the following Economic Goals: ● A county maximising opportunities to promote economic development and build on its indigenous spirit of entrepreneurship. ● A county that is an attractive, innovative location for growth in and investment from different sectors. ● A county where the travel, transport, utilities, communications and ICT infrastructure meet current and future needs. ● A county of vibrant town and village centres which are attractive to visit and shop in. ● An exemplar county for addressing and responding to climate change. ● A vibrant rural economy driven by value-added agriculture and food. ● A county building on the positivity of existing companies to sell itself as a prime business location. ● A county with a vibrant creative sector driven by practitioners, activities and opportunities of the highest calibre. ● A county renowned as an authentic, friendly tourist destination. ● A county with a vibrant – women in business sector – which encourages more women to consider business as a career option. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I74 4 Economic Development
- The achievement of the goals is developed around 6 Economic Themes presented in Table 4.1. Table 4.1: Economic Themes in Leitrim Local Economic and Community Plan 2015-2021 Theme Which is About….. E1: Leitrim and its Region ● building a strong regional focus ● capitalising on existing links and flows between counties ● creating critical masses ● collaborative working ● addressing common, shared problems E2: Job Creation and Business Growth ● providing the necessary sites and spaces ● developing infrastructure ● attracting investment ● stimulating local, indigenous success ● marketing Co. Leitrim ● identifying and meeting training needs ● building on local, indigenous success ● focusing on growth sectors and industries ● developing Leitrim’s evening and night time economy ● focusing on ‘new economy’ and ‘knowledge-based’ industries E3: Infrastructure ● providing required infrastructure countering rural/dispersed population ● focusing on broadband and telecommunications needs ● improving connectivity by road and rail from Leitrim to regions ● improving north – south road connectivity within Leitrim ● liaise with statutory providers such as Irish Water, Bord Gais and ESB to ensure required infrastructure is in place ● maximising potential of renewable energy in Leitrim ● maximising potential of Shannon Erne Waterway - tourism and leisure E4: Towns and Villages ● improving town and village centre footfall ● addressing dereliction and vacant premises ● responding to declining retailing ● creating town and village centre variety ● improving public realm to stimulate place-related activities E5: Sectoral Economic Development ● improving ‘value-added’ within agri-food ● improving marketing, promotion and selling ● developing specialist, skilled staff ● making best use of the Leitrim Diaspora ● rolling forward Leitrim’s creative sector ● building and marketing the tourism product E6: Women in Business ● supporting women in business ● supporting women to enter business Source: Leitrim Local Economic and Community Plan 2015-2021 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 75 4 Economic Development
- The Economic Themes each contain a number of Strategic Economic Development Objectives (SEDOs) with specific targets identified for each SEDO. A series of actions are then identified to achieve these targets along with the organisation or organisations responsible to deliver these actions and the timeframe in which each action should be delivered. THE SEDOS AS FOLLOWS: SEDO 1 Leitrim will be a visionary leader in a region which is innovative and competitive, with a high quality environment, first class infrastructure and a quality of life that is among the highest in the world. SEDO 2 Facilitate and encourage existing and new businesses to sustain and grow their business so that new sustainable jobs are created across a variety of sectors within the county and region, thereby increasing the availability of quality and diverse employment for residents and inbound commuters. SEDO 3 Support and facilitate the development and maintenance of an infrastructure across Leitrim which will meet current and projected economic, social, community and sustainability needs. SEDO 4 Strengthen the fabric of our towns and villages by developing strong ‘place related’ economic activities and supporting community development initiatives to build on an area’s particular strengths. SEDO 5 Enhance the potential for economic development in individual sectors based on Leitrim’s physical, social, environmental and cultural character and quality. SEDO 5A Enhance the potential for economic development in the Energy and Green Economy sector so that Leitrim will be an exemplar county for addressing Climate Change. SEDO 5B Enhance the potential for economic development in the Agriculture and Food sector by developing a vibrant rural economy driven by value-added agriculture and small food business. SEDO 5C Enhance the potential for economic development in the Services, Manufacturing and ICT Sectors by building on the positivity of existing companies to sell Leitrim as a prime business location. SEDO 5D Enhance the potential for economic development in the Creative, Arts and Culture Sector by raising awareness of the culturally rich and artistically vibrant offering and services in Leitrim. SEDO 5E Enhance the potential for economic development in the Tourism Sector by ensuring a united cohesive approach by the tourism trade and agencies in the county. SEDO 6 Enhance the role played by Leitrim Business Women in the economic development of the county. The role of the Development Plan is to ensure that the necessary land use planning policy framework is in place to facilitate the realisation of the LECP Economic SEDOs and the specific actions identified to deliver each. It should be stated that not all of the SEDO’s have spatial or infrastructural requirements, so the Development Plan only considers the SEDO’s and actions of relevance. Appendix III – Strategic Economic Development Objectives and the Development Plan has considered the required policy response and this exercise informs the policies and objectives contained in this section of the Plan. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I76 4 Economic Development
- 4.7 Strategies and Structures to Deliver the Economic Vision There are strategies in place to assist in the realisation of the Economic Vision and structures within the Local Authority and wider collaborate groupings which the Council forms part of to drive the delivery of our shared Economic Vision. The following sections outline some of these strategies and structures. 4 .7.1 Atlantic Economic Corridor The Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) is one region along the western seaboard of Ireland with a shared goal which is to create a unified, connected and powerful Atlantic economy. The AEC is driven by business representatives and communities and supported by national and local government and State agencies. The AEC is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Western Development Commission. The initiative seeks to consolidate and align the State capital investment programme with the potential investment of the private sector to strengthen the region’s economic contribution and make the Atlantic region a better place in which to live and work. Co. Leitrim is strategically located along the AEC. The AEC aims 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 AEC has significant potential for future economic growth of/in Co. Leitrim and the wider region. The advancement of Co. Leitrim’s economic growth clusters and delivery of key capital infrastructural projects under Project 2040 will all consolidate the AEC. Under the Economic Hubs Project, 10 no. hubs have been developed in Co. Leitrim and centred on 3 pillars: Infrastructure, Community Network and Marketing and Promotion. The success of the AEC initiative will attract more enterprise and people to the county and the region, progressing balanced regional development, whilst sustaining strong and vibrant communities. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 77 4 Economic Development
- 4.7.2 North West Regional Enterprise Plan Regional Enterprise Plans are developed by regional stakeholders and focus on undertaking collaborative initiatives that can help deliver enterprise growth in each of the nine regions across Ireland. The Plan is not an economic development strategy but a suite of pointed objectives. These ‘bottom-up’ Regional Enterprise Plans complement and build on core strategies of the Enterprise Agencies, the Local Enterprise Offices and the wider range of State Bodies directly involved in supporting enterprise development in the regions. They aim to bring added value and increased impact through regional and local actors working collaboratively on vulnerabilities and new enterprise development opportunities across the country. Harness the potential of micro, small and medium indigenous businesses in the North-West Region through encouraging entrepreneurship and scaling of existing businesses. Ensure that the North-West capitalises on the enterprise opportunities posed by the advancement of the wind industry (onshore/ offshore wind) and the continued growth of the ocean economy. Support the offering of the North-West Region as a place to work and invest high value jobs in. Support the North-West’s enterprise to mainstream climate action and transition to a low carbon future in their business planning. Recognising the North-West’s strategic border location, encourage the ongoing development of cross-border relationships and Shared Island initiatives to further the enterprise agenda in the North-West. By harnessing the partnerships available to the REP’s steering committee, assist the Regional Skills Forum and other agencies in addressing the skills issue encountered by enterprises in the North-West. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 5 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 6 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2 The North-West Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024 includes the following Strategic Objectives: LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I78 4 Economic Development
- 4.7.3 Framework of Regional Priorities for the Central Border Region of Ireland/Northern Ireland This Framework of Regional Priorities for the Central Border Region of Ireland/Northern Ireland, 2021/2027 (FRP) is a strategic initiative for the advancement of our regional economy. This is motivated by, and seeks to give effect to, ICBAN’s20 Vision of a region with a thriving, resilient, vibrant and diversified economy, that will be strengthened and sustained through a focus on regional priorities. Figure 4.1: The Emergent Catalyst Projects – Framework of Regional Priorities for the Central Border Region of Ireland/Northern Ireland The Emergent Catalyst projects are: Catalyst 1: Farm to Fork – strengthening the region’s agriculture sector, food processing industry, catering firms and hospitality providers to collaboratively avail of new and emerging opportunities and sectoral trends; Catalyst 2: Greenways and Blueways – growing and connecting these vital pieces of infrastructure – to promote tourism and active travel; Catalyst 3: River Catchments Sustainability – working with all stakeholders across river catchments – from source to sea, to enhance water quality and to drive cross–sectoral projects that will strengthen the region’s economic base; Catalyst 4: A Thriving Regional Bioeconomy – to build on Councils’ work in this field through advancing research and development (R&D), upping regional skills capacity and enabling greater industrial and spatial collaboration; and Catalyst 5: International Mountain Biking Destination – to develop a connected / networked set of mountain–biking trails – capitalising on the region’s topography and adding value to the existing suite of visitor attractions, while providing localcommunities with new amenities. Framework of Regional Priorities The Strategy identifies 5 no. inter-connected and mutually re-enforcing strategic regional priorities: 20 ICBAN is the Irish Central Border Area Network and comprises Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon; Cavan; Donegal; Fermanagh and Omagh; Leitrim; Mid Ulster; Monaghan; and Sligo. 1 Exploiting new opportunities based on regional strengths and assets (including latent assets), in the bioeconomy, food production and sustainable landscape management; 2 Supporting economic development through providing adequate industrial spaces, nurturing inter–firm collaboration and innovation, and strengthening linkages with education/training providers; 3 Enhancing citizens’ quality of life, through improved and more innovative modes of service delivery, life–long progression opportunities, enhanced community amenities and independent living environments; 4 Enabling greater connected/remote working, through enhancing infrastructure and developing a network of digital hubs (in town centres), as part of the rejuvenation of towns and villages; 5 Developing the region’s tourism offering and quality of life infrastructure through connected greenway and blueway networks (including inter-regional) - linked to complementary services and underpinned by increased active travel and improved regional connectivity. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 79 4 Economic Development
- 4.7.4 Upper Shannon Erne Future Economies Project The Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy project (USEFE) is a joint initiative between Bord Na Móna, the ESB and Cavan, Leitrim and Longford Local Authorities and businesses across the region. The initiative enables business and community representatives to proactively influence and assist with the broader economic development of this region. The key aims of USEFE are to: ● Identify sectoral partnerships and linkages whose development might create wealth opportunities for local economies. ● Develop projects of regional significance which can lead to new business and job creation opportunities. ● Provide opportunities to help attract skilled employees to the region. ● Develop networking opportunities for businesses that can lead to new markets and potential partners. ● Build relationships between public and private enterprises, micro and large enterprises. Four sectors have been identified: A Co. Leitrim Diaspora Strategy has been developed which will highlight objectives and an action plan to engage with the Leitrim Diaspora. This built on the successful expo and seminar in Croke Park aimed at the Diaspora held in 2016. The event attracted jobseekers, investors, entrepreneurs and decision makers. It highlighted the stories of some of the most successful businesses already operating in the region and demonstrated the advantages that the region can offer. This included Vista Med and Cora Systems from Carrick-on-Shannon. A Renewable Energy Working Group was set up in August 2018 which in turn established a sustainable energy region under the Sustainable Energy Community Network run by SEAI. The aim is to identify regional projects that can help contribute to national targets made possible due to the scale of their group in terms of population and the number of public buildings and businesses across the four counties. By facilitating new sustainable energy projects, USEFE will aim to boost employment in the region. The USEFE region has developed a number of projects through its Tourism Working Group which comprises of Tourist Officers and other Local Authority officials, agencies and service providers. The most notable project developed under this strategy is the Blueway Project. The project delivered two capital projects, regional & directional signage and a number of capacity building workshops. D iaspora Food Renewable Energy Tourism LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I80 4 Economic Development
Source Leitrim County Council: Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029 (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.