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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- 4.7.5 Leitrim Local Enterprise Office The Leitrim Local Enterprise Office (LEO) operates as a core instrument of local enterprise support and development for micro enterprises and SMEs, where the LEO focuses on providing clients with financial supports, mentoring, networking opportunities, business development and entrepreneurial advice, business training and information, and advice on Local Authority supports and/or activities affecting businesses, including rates, procurement and planning. Leitrim County Council and its LEO work in collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders to actively promote and encourage economic development and enterprise development in the county. The Council aims to facilitate economic development and employment opportunities by providing or supporting the delivery of infrastructure and implementing urban and rural economic initiatives. It also facilitates economic development by the zoning of appropriate lands in the higher order towns for enterprise and employment and by ensuring that planning policy and objectives are supportive of business and enterprise generally. Table 4.2: Number of Clients and Jobs supported by Leitrim Enterprise Office 2018-2019 Year 2018 2019 Number of Clients 161 161 Total Jobs 437 458 The development of The Hive in Carrick-on-Shannon has become an important innovation centre in the county. The Economic Strategy seeks to replicate this model at other locations throughout the county in order to facilitate the development of an ‘innovation eco-system’ catering for and supporting local entrepreneurs and SMEs in various sectors in recognition of the increasing importance of knowledge-oriented activities. The success of this Vision will be dependent on ensuring the availability of reliable and high-speed broadband, to which the Council is fully committed to achieving. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 81 4 Economic Development
- 4.7.6 Economic Development Department Each Local Authority has established a Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). The aim of the LCDC is to develop, co-ordinate and implement a coherent and integrated approach to local and community development. The main function of the LCDC is to prepare, implement and monitor the community elements of the six-year Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). It must consider the economic elements of the plan in order to enhance co-ordination with the community elements. It has a general role in seeking to ensure effectiveness, consistency, co-ordination and avoidance of duplication between the various elements of statutory body activities in the community. The LCDC sits under the remit of the Economic Development Department of the Local Authority. The LCDC is also responsible for monitoring and overseeing the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), LEADER, Healthy Ireland, PEACE and administering grants programmes for small businesses, sector specific, etc. In terms of developing applications for the various funding streams, key strategic relationships have also been developed within the county which includes the establishment of a number of Town Teams, in Manorhamilton, Carrick-on-Shannon and more recently Mohill and Ballinamore. Staff from the Economic Development Department work with these groups along with others including local development groups, Tidy Towns Committees, etc. to identify key areas of opportunity and then providing support to these groups to prepare and submit quality funding applications. When successful, the Economic Development Department continues to work with such groups to support project implementation, process claims and drawdown funds from the Department of Rural and Community Development. There are a number of other funding streams administered under the remit of the Economic Development section which includes CLÁR Programme, the Outdoor Rural Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the Community Enhancement Programme and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The URDF and RRDF funding programmes are dealt with in more detail in Chapter 6 – Urban Settlements. All such funding opportunities are maximised to secure as much investment as possible for the towns and villages in Co. Leitrim. All of the resultant investment enhances the infrastructure within the local areas making them more attractive and enhanced places for people to live in, work in, invest in and to visit. Key Strategic Projects include: ● The Hive Carrick-on-Shannon-Leitrim’s Technology Enterprise Centre ● The Food Hub Drumshanbo ● Arts and Creative Sector ● Slow Tourism ● Blueway ● Development of Taste Leitrim Brand ● Diaspora Strategy ● Development of Digital Strategy ● Sustainable Energy Communities – “The Green County – Carbon Neutral” Town Team/Locally Led Projects include: ● Purple Flag Award Carrick-on-Shannon ● Community CCTV Scheme Carrick-on-Shannon ● Economic Development Plan Mohill ● Development of Market Yard Carrick-on-Shannon ● Food Experience Drumshanbo ● Town Centre wifi ● Ballinamore Area Strategy ● Manor Summit and Phase 2 REDZ Action Plan ● Carrick-on-Shannon Economic Development Plan 2020 – 2030 ● Marketing and Promotion activities delivered in line with the URDF and RRDF funding secured to support town centre development and footfall ● SMART Green Mohill Initiative ● St. Felim’s Centre in Ballinamore – Leitrim County Council owned property being led by the Community in terms of remote working facilities, youth facilities, greenway trail head, etc. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I82 4 Economic Development
- POLICIES Economic Development Support Role EC DEV POL 1 To support and promote economic development and employment opportunities identified in the Leitrim Local Economic and Community Plan or any amended or replacement plan, subject to the appropriate environmental assessments. EC DEV POL 2 To continue to promote the county to attract enterprise and investment through the Economic Development Department and the Local Enterprise Office, with a focus on a number of established and emerging sectors including tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy, ICT, food and agri-food and to maximise the opportunities afforded by remote working. EC DEV POL 3 To co-operate with local and national development agencies and engage with existing and future employers in order to maximise job opportunities in the county. EC DEV POL 4 To maximise opportunities to strengthen links with higher level institutions and the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and investigate opportunities for employment creation in relation to climate change, biodiversity and developing a carbon neutral economy. EC DEV POL 5 To support and explore the potential development of a higher-level on-campus or off-campus facilities in the county, potentially in collaboration with the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), and to promote, and facilitate where possible, potential synergies between higher level education institutions such as ATU and enterprise sectors in Leitrim. Atlantic Economic Corridor AEC POL 1 To promote, support and facilitate the Atlantic Economic Corridor initiative in a sustainable manner to secure the long-term economic and employment growth for Leitrim. AEC POL 2 To promote, support and facilitate the appropriate development of Co. Leitrim’s towns, villages and rural areas that function as part of the Atlantic Economic Corridor. AEC POL 3 To work with adjoining counties to secure the Atlantic Economic Corridor, as a model of balanced regional development. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 83 4 Economic Development
- 4.8 Role of Urban Centres The principal towns in the Settlement Hierarchy of the Core Strategy is as follows: Tier 1 - Key Town Carrick-on-Shannon Tier 2A – Self-Sustaining Growth Towns Manorhamilton and Ballinamore Tier 2B - Support Towns Dromahair, Drumshanbo, Mohill and Kinlough The following sections identify the suggested roles or specialisms which each of the urban centres in the top tiers of the Settlement Hierarchy should seek to develop and expand upon. The expected development outcome would require a targeted economic marketing strategy to be prepared and pursued which identifies the sectors which the Council seeks to develop for each urban centre. The success of such a strategy would also seek to provide additional employment opportunities in Ballinamore, Dromahair and Kinlough with a reduced carbon footprint associated with transport to and from work if more employment was provided locally. The reduction in the extent of commuting out of the county is an objective of the Development Plan but also to increase the level of employment within the county as a regional strength. All of the towns identified as Support Towns are identified to provide indigenous enterprise and business start ups. Please note that the roles and specialisms identified in the narrative which follows for the Tier 2A (Self-Sustaining Growth Towns) and Tier 2B (Support Towns) are captured in the Settlement Plans for each centre which form Volume II of this Plan. As a separate Local Area Plan will be developed for Carrick-on-Shannon/Cortober, specific policies and objectives to guide the economic strategy to be pursued are provided for the Key Town of Carrick-on- Shannon. POLICIES Integration of Land Uses INT LAND USE POL 1 To encourage mixed use settlement forms and sustainable centres, in which land identified for economic development and enterprise/ employment are located in close proximity to housing, education and local services/amenities in order to reduce the need to travel. INT LAND USE POL 2 To promote and facilitate shared working hubs which act as a counterbalance for commuting out of the county for employment by residents. INT LAND USE POL 3 To encourage and facilitate home-based start up enterprises of appropriate type, size and scale, subject to compliance with the criteria outlined in Chapter 13 - Development Management Standards of the Plan, and where it can be demonstrated that the development will not have significant adverse effects on the environment, including the integrity of the Natura 2000 network, residential amenity or visual amenity. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I84 4 Economic Development
- 4.8.1 Carrick-on-Shannon The role of Carrick-on-Shannon as Key Town is set out in the RSES and is built upon in this Plan. The development strategy to be pursued will include the provision of significant economic development - to develop and expand the potential of the Carrick Business Campus, to promote high technology manufacturing and research opportunities using VistaMed as an exemplar of best practice, to progress the sustainable development of the serviced strategic landbank to the east of the town including potential for use as a data centre or alternative regionally strategic scaled employment use, healthcare, warehousing, ICT, office based industry and develop the tourism offer of the town centred on the River Shannon/Blueway proposition. Carrick-on-Shannon has also the strongest retail offering in the county which includes a range of middle and higher order comparison shopping. It is also the intention of the Local Authority to develop a ‘Destination Centre/Experience’ to strengthen the town centre as a destination of choice and improve retail attractiveness. Carrick-on-Shannon has also a strong public administration function (Leitrim County Council and H.S.E.) and other service industries reflective of its role as county town. The Council have commissioned and finalised the preparation of “Carrick-on-Shannon: The Place to be - Economic Development Plan (2020-2030)” and a 5 Year Action Plan to implement the main recommendations. The vision contained in the Plan is “Carrick-on-Shannon is the place to be: A regional location for people to live, work, invest and visit because of its connectivity, infrastructure, environment, heritage, quality of life, job opportunities and evening economy.” The 2020-2030 Economic Development Plan has an overarching strategic and positioning theme and five supporting economic development themes: The joint Local Area Plan for Carrick-on-Shannon/ Cortober will examine in greater detail the specific actions contained in the Economic Development Plan and the Action Plan in particular. Strategic and Positioning Themes 1 2 3 4 5 Enterprise Development including Encouraging FDI Tourism Growth Arts, Culture and Heritage Sports and Recreation Retail and Town Centre Sustainability, Diversity and Growth including Town Enhancement THEMETHEMETHEMETHEMETHEME LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 85 4 Economic Development
- Carrick-on-Shannon Key Town - Future Priorities POLICIES CARRICK POL 1 To deliver and offer support to existing businesses in Carrick-on-Shannon to ensure their continued existence and expansion. CARRICK POL 2 To promote research and development opportunities, building the capacity of the region. OBJECTIVES CARRICK OBJ 1 To develop and expand the potential of the Carrick Business Campus and seek to attract a people intensive use of the modern existing buildings. CARRICK OBJ 2 To progress the sustainable development of the serviced strategic employment land that is available to the east of the town. CARRICK OBJ 3 To continue to develop the tourism offer and the Purple Flag Status of the town that supports a variety of support enterprises in the surrounding countryside. CARRICK OBJ 4 To deliver on the strategic positioning of Carrick-on- Shannon as part of the development of the Blueway proposition under the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy project (USEFE). CARRICK OBJ 5 To pursue the development of a town destination centre in Carrick-on-Shannon to strengthen the town centre as a destination of choice and improve the retail attractiveness of our Key Town. CARRICK OBJ 6 To pursue the sustainable development of the new regionally significant opportunity site to the east of Carrick-on-Shannon and contiguous to the existing land use zoning envelope for use as a data centre or alternative regionally scaled employment use following the undertaking of a feasibility study. Access would potentially be from a National Primary Road (outside of reduced speed limit zone) and careful consideration of options is required. This will require inclusion of an exceptional circumstance for a new entrance off the N4 to be agreed with the TII in accordance with the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines. CARRICK OBJ 7 To enhance the night time economy by facilitating a mix of bars, restaurants and late night cafes to make the town attractive to all users LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I86 4 Economic Development
- 4.8.2 Manorhamilton 21 Slow Adventure is a chance to explore and engage with wild, open and natural places, to journey through breath-taking landscapes at a slower, immersive pace, to create memories through meaningful experiences as you invest time in a place, in its traditions and community and surrender to the natural forces of the environment as you reflect, reconnect and become closer to nature. Manorhamilton presently has a strong manufacturing base (Mirror Control International, Merenda and ElastoMetall) and a strong administration function (HSE West offices) both of which need to be protected and developed. The town has a strong creative and visual art sector centred on the Leitrim Sculpture Centre and the Glens Centre. The town also has the potential to develop as a tourism base centred on the existing proposition strongly based on built heritage (Hamilton Castle and the Star Fort) but also the extraordinary natural heritage and setting of the town/scenic area, the arts sector but also due to its positioning on the proposed Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Rail Line Greenway. The town is located between Sligo and Enniskillen as is opportune to develop as an accommodation base for ‘SLOW’21/adventure tourism. 4.8.3 Ballinamore Whilst the principal town in the Ballinamore Municipal District, Ballinamore presently does not have the same level of manufacturing or administration presence as Manorhamilton, the other Self-Sustaining Growth Town. In comparison to Manorhamilton, Ballinamore does not provide the same level of employment for the wider rural catchment. It does however have a welldeveloped tourism base centred on the Shannon - Erne waterway with public and private marinas on the canal (Ballinamore to Ballyconnell Canal). A demonstration stretch of the proposed Greenway along the former Cavan Leitrim rail line is now in place along with an existing heritage trail. The town is ideally located to cater for the many anglers who visit the area to fish in the numerous lakes around the area and this is a strong focus within the tourism strategy for the county. The County Library and Genealogy Centres are also based in Ballinamore. The town needs to identify a further employment specialism to augment the tourism focus of the town such as high value manufacturing or high technology/ bio technology and to strengthen the employment opportunities for the surrounding rural catchment. It would be important that the permitted office development at The Rock Centre be completed to provide local services employment/administration function. Equally, the implementation of the RRDF supported Junction project will develop a Digital Hub/Enterprise Centre within the former railway station complex which will assist in developing the entrepreneurial spirit of the town. A town development strategy is in place which provides a good base upon which to formulate future funding applications. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 87 4 Economic Development
- 4.8.4 Drumshanbo Drumshanbo has developed a niche industry around the food industry with the development of The Food Hub which is also home to The Shed Distillery where Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin, Drumshanbo Sausage Tree Vodka and Drumshanbo Whiskey are produced. A new visitor centre opened in September 2020. There is also a strong tourism base developed in Drumshanbo again centred on water (Lough Allen, Acres Lake and the Leitrim Canal) with marinas offering berthing for pleasure cruisers. There are also outdoor adventure centres, an outdoor heated swimming pool and the floating boardwalk as part of the Blueway connecting Drumshanbo to Leitrim Village. There is also a strong cultural heritage sector continuing to develop in Drumshanbo including the renowned Joe Mooney Summer School, An Tóstal Festival, artist workplace, etc. 4.8.5 Mohill Mohill has a strong built heritage synonymous with its rich past. The town has a notable manufacturing base related to construction activities (Modular Panel Systems and Crowe Sawmills). The town has a large mart and a series of hardware and agricultural co-operative type stores reflective of the rural catchment based on agriculture which it serves. The town does not have a strong tourism base despite the proximity of the Lough Rynn Castle development and the Lough Rynn Rowing Centre. This needs to be developed cognisant of the support role of the town to Carrick-on-Shannon. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I88 4 Economic Development
- 4.8.6 Kinlough Kinlough has grown significantly over the past 15 years primarily as a residential centre with associated local level services arising from the Upper Shannon Rural Renewal Scheme. The population of the town has more than doubled between 2006 and 2016. Kinlough presently has no effective manufacturing or tourism industry. The development of the Community Hub within the Community Centre supported by LEADER funding is a welcome recent addition to support remote working from the town. The Development Plan will seek to identify employment opportunities locally but also seek to develop the tourism potential offered by the stunning Lough Melvin and proximity to the Atlantic coast/Wild Atlantic Way. 5.8.7 Dromahair Dromahair is an attractive centre, approximately 10 km from Sligo with an attractive urban form. It is located amid some stunning unspoiled natural landscapes with the Bonet River flowing through the town feeding into the nearby Lough Gill. It has significant tourism potential being located on the proposed Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Rail line greenway with a demonstration stretch already in place, Creevelea Abbey and proximity to Parkes Castle/Lough Gill. However, it is perceived as somewhat off the beaten track as it is not located on the national road network. Its proximity to Sligo would allow the development of niche crafts industries/shops with potential for boutique hotel in the former historic Abbey Manor Hotel. The town has a well educated workforce and scores highly on the affluence indicators – an office based industry using the highly qualified resident population should be pursued. Dromahair is currently engaged in the creation of a development framework to prioritise and guide future projects and development in the town that will aid economic development and support the needs of the growing community. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 89 4 Economic Development
- 4.9 Enterprise and Employment It is Council policy to actively promote and develop enterprise and employment at appropriate locations throughout the county. The Council will support the development of transport, energy, telecommunications, water and drainage infrastructure to facilitate such development. The enabling social and physical infrastructure required to support and facilitate enterprise and employment are set out in Chapter 7 – Sustainable Communities, Chapter 8 – Transport and Chapter 9 – Infrastructure and Energy respectively. Generally new industry and employment generating enterprises will be encouraged to locate in towns and villages where adequate infrastructure and support services exist. However, industries related to agriculture and other land uses or tied to a fixed resource and large-scale industries requiring extensive sites may be acceptable in rural locations. Small enterprises in rural areas will also be acceptable where there are no adverse impacts on the environment or on neighbouring amenity and subject to proper planning and sustainable development considerations. Effects on the environment, safe access and residential amenities will be considered in all applications for rural enterprises. Such rural enterprises considered suitable would include agricultural related industry, businesses directly related to farming, for example, servicing and repair of farm machinery, land reclamation, drainage work, agricultural contracting along with renewable energy developments, wood processing, tourism related development, etc. 4.10 Services and Manufacturing The manufacturing and services sector in Co. Leitrim is a key employer and generator of economic development. There are a range of manufacturing and services business in different parts of the county with Manorhamilton having a large manufacturing business engaged in the car components sector, Carrick-on-Shannon has companies engaged in medical device and specialist toolmaking as well as computer software development. The financial services sector, medical device sector, software development and tool making/engineering production sector are key elements which create jobs in the county and efforts to develop this sector further would be strongly encouraged. The businesses in this sector include foreign direct investment and indigenous business and the harnessing of the Leitrim Diaspora in further developing this sector will be critical as well as supporting training initiatives for the specialised nature of staff required in some cases. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I90 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.