Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 181

   Cite this pagePDF p. 181 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-19 5.11 AREAS TO BE IDENTIFIED FOR GROWTH The following sections of this chapter will provide an overview and strategy for employment related development in the County. 5.11.1 Regional Growth Centres The NPF identified settlements below city level with an important function in the context of regional development. In the Eastern and Midland Region the settlements identified were Athlone, Drogheda and Dundalk. In the RSES for the Eastern and Midland Region these settlements were designated ‘Regional Growth Centres’ and are to be a focal point for population and employment growth. The following section will provide an overview of the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk. The concentration of development in these settlements will create a critical mass of population and employment opportunities and will allow these settlements to develop as centres of scale, and act as a counter balance to Dublin thereby supporting more balanced regional development. Regional Policy Objective 6.30 of the RSES seeks to support existing smart city initiatives such as Smart Dublin and the All Ireland Smart Cities Forum, as well as supporting the development of smart city programmes in Athlone, Drogheda and Dundalk. Smart cities boost the location’s attractiveness for people and business, especially those who want to innovate. While there is no universal definition for a ‘Smart City’ this term generally refers to a city or town that uses technology to provide services and solve city/town problems such as improved access to transport services, reducing waste and inconvenience and maximising social inclusion. A key component to a ‘Smart City’ is the use of real-time data to support the introduction of tools that create well-being within that city/town. Policy Objective EE 29 To prioritise economic development in Drogheda and Dundalk taking account of the strategic importance of the settlements along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and their designation as Regional Growth Centres in the RSES. Policy Objective EE 30 To take a positive and pro-active approach when considering the economic impact of major planning applications in the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk in order to support economic development and employment growth and to deliver high quality outcomes. Policy Objective EE 31 To promote and facilitate the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk as creative and innovative centres that are competitive, accessible and attractive, each with their own distinct identity and built heritage.

2. Page 182

   Cite this pagePDF p. 182 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-20 Policy Objective EE 32 To promote the delivery of essential infrastructure and utilities that support businesses in establishing a competitive and resilient stronghold at local, regional and national level. Policy Objective EE 33 To support the development of Smart City Programmes in the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk.

3. Page 183

   Cite this pagePDF p. 183 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-21 5.12 DROGHEDA 5.12.1 Profile Drogheda10 is strategically located on the southern boundary of Louth, approximately 30 minutes from Dublin airport. The town functions as an important service centre for the south of the County with a catchment extending to east Meath and north Fingal.40,956 16,108 12,361 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 Population 2016 Resident workers Total Jobs Drogheda Profile 5.12.2 Existing Employment Employment sectors in the town include information and communications technology, business, professional and financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, food and drink processing, tourism and hospitality services, and retailing. In 2016 there were over 12,300 jobs in Drogheda 11 which represents almost 35% of the total jobs in the County. Outside the town centre, established employment areas are in proximity to the Port along the Boyne Road and along the Donore Road in the western part of the town. Our Lady of Lourdes hospital at Moneymore in the northern part of the town also provides significant employment. RHI Magnesita (Premier Periclase) manufacturing facility is a significant employer adjacent to the Port. The nature of the works at this facility requires a large landholding and associated structures. Closer to the town centre on the Greenhills Road, the Greenhills Industrial Estate includes manufacturing and services based enterprises.0.76 63.20% Jobs:Resident Workers Labour force participation rate The Boyne Business Park is located to the rear of this facility and is the base for a number of indigenous engineering, environmental, and food processing enterprises. On the southern side of the River Boyne along the Marsh Road there is a Marine Terminal operated by Flogas. There is potential for additional employment uses on undeveloped lands adjacent to this facility. Drogheda Industrial Park is located on the Donore Road on the western side of the town in proximity to Junction 8 of the M1. This Park hosts a mixture of businesses related to wholesale, retailing, and servicing enterprises. 10 The economic profile for Drogheda includes the Southern Environs of the town which is in the administrative area of Meath. In 2016 the population of Drogheda within the administrative area of Louth was 34,199. There were 12,408 resident workers in the Louth area of the town and 11,145 jobs resulting in a Job:Workforce ratio of 0.90. 11 Including 1,216 jobs in the Southern Environs

4. Page 184

   Cite this pagePDF p. 184 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-22 5.12.3 Drogheda Port Drogheda Port is an important economic asset to the town and local businesses for importing and exporting raw materials and products. It provides for both general freight and container services and can handle various types of cargo. There are two facilities for the loading and discharging of cargo; the inner north quays port and the deep water facility at Tom Roes Point Terminal. Tom Roes Point is the primary container and paper and timber handling facility, while the inner north quay port is a general cargo facility catering for products including bulk grains, steel, and timber. In addition there is a private hydrocarbon facility and a private bulk cement/magnesite/coal facility. The regional significance of the Port 12 is recognised in the RSES. This Plan also recognises the economic importance of the Port in providing access to international markets for local businesses and therefore supports the sustainable growth of the facility, subject to any expansion meeting the necessary environmental criteria. Section 5.10 provides additional details in relation to port facilities in the County. 5.12.4 Undeveloped Employment Lands The existing industrial parks in the town are well established with limited capacity for expansion. There are two large parcels of undeveloped lands zoned for employment uses to the north of the town. These are located adjacent to the M1 Retail Park and opposite Tom Roes Point ferry terminal. The release of employment lands opposite Tom Roes Ferry terminal will require the delivery (or partial delivery) of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) and water services infrastructure. The PANCR is part of the long term transport strategy for Drogheda that would improve connectivity to the port and remove port related traffic from the town centre and facilitate the regeneration of town centre lands. At present there is no funding available for the construction of this road or the water services infrastructure therefore its delivery would have to be developer driven. Taking account of the extent of these lands and the interdependency of the lands with the construction of the PANCR and delivery of water services infrastructure, a Masterplan will be required to be prepared and agreed with the Planning Authority prior to any planning application being lodged. A Masterplan will also be required for the employment lands in the vicinity of the M1 Retail Park. Provision of the aforementioned Masterplans will ensure a holistic and co-ordinated approach is taken to the development of the lands. These Masterplans will set out a conceptual layout and provide infrastructural details including roads, water services, and surface water in addition to a phasing programme for the build out of the lands. 12 Regional Policy Objective 4.12 of the RSES supports the role of Drogheda Port.

5. Page 185

   Cite this pagePDF p. 185 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-23 5.12.5 Employment Areas in the Southern Environs of Drogheda In developing a coherent employment strategy for Drogheda, consideration must be given to existing employment lands in the Southern Environs of the town located in County Meath. These employment lands include an IDA Business and Technology Park along the Donore Road, which has had limited success in attracting investment, and a substantial tract of undeveloped employment lands south of the Platin Road. As part of the Joint Urban/Local Area Plan with Meath County Council, a co-ordinated approach to the future development of employment lands will be required to ensure the town develops in a holistic manner. Policy Objective EE 34 To promote the Regional Growth Centre of Drogheda as a primary centre for employment in the County that maximises the locational advantage of the town along the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. Policy Objective EE 35 To develop an economic vision and strategy for Drogheda in association with Meath County Council and other stakeholders as part of the Joint Urban / Local Area Plan for Drogheda. Policy Objective EE 36 To promote Drogheda as a location for Foreign Direct Investment. Policy Objective EE 37 To recognise that the Port facility at Drogheda is an important economic resource and to support any improvements or expansion to the Port facilities subject to the preparation of a Masterplan and compliance with relevant planning and environmental criteria. Policy Objective EE 38 To support the development of employment lands in the town including: i) The lands in the northern part of the town adjacent to the M1 Retail Park ii) The lands adjacent to Tom Roes Point The development of these lands shall be for economic investment and employment generating uses. Development shall only take place in areas where a Masterplan has been agreed in writing with the Planning Authority in accordance with the requirements set out in Section 13.5 'Masterplans' in Chapter 13 - Development Management Guidelines. Policy Objective EE 39 To support the delivery of the Port Access Northern Cross Route which will release strategically located lands for economic development and employment related uses.

6. Page 186

   Cite this pagePDF p. 186 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-24 5.13 DUNDALK 5.13.1 Profile Dundalk is an important employment hub in the north-east of the country with an established base of both indigenous and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) businesses. The town has continued to broaden its employment base and has benefitted from the presence of a third level education facility in the town, with Dundalk Institute of Technology developing a partnership with local businesses and enterprises and providing employers with a skilled and educated workforce. In 2016 there were over 14,100 jobs in Dundalk, which equated to 40% of the total jobs in the County. 5.13.2 Existing Employment Environment The location of the town on the border provides challenges and opportunities. The challenges relate to uncertainty and increased costs of doing business as a result of the UK withdrawal from the EU, which may ultimately result in a loss of customers and trade. On a more positive note, there are opportunities for both UK based and EU based companies who wish to retain strong connections with both jurisdictions, to locate in Dundalk due to the accessibility to both markets from the town. There are employment parks and industrial estates located in various parts of the town, with the older, established industrial estates closer to the town centre on the Coes Road and Ardee Road. Local and indigenous businesses are located in these estates and include manufacturing, engineering, servicing, and wholesale suppliers. Foreign Direct Investment companies are clustered in an established education and industrial zone in the southern part of the town, where there are approximately 450 hectares of land identified for employment related uses. The Mullagharlin Masterplan area (see Appendix 4 of the Dundalk LAP) consists of an extensive area of strategically located lands to the south of Dundalk Town Centre and west of Blackrock. The total quantum of lands within the Masterplan area is c. 434 hectares. At the time of writing approximately 267 hectares of the land remain undeveloped. The Masterplan area includes Finnabair Business Park, Xerox Technology Park, Dundalk Science and Technology Park and DKIT.39,004 14,178 14,163 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 Population 2016 Resident workers Total Jobs Dundalk Profile0.99 59.50% Jobs:Resident Workers Labour force participation rate

7. Page 187

   Cite this pagePDF p. 187 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-25 5.13.3 Dundalk and Greenore Ports Dundalk is connected to international markets via the existing port facilities in the town and at Greenore. These facilities are an important resource to local businesses in the import and export of products and raw materials to international markets. Section 5.10 provides further details on these facilities. 5.13.4 Sustainable Energy Zone Dundalk has been at the forefront in the area of energy conservation and development of renewable technologies through the identification of a ‘Sustainable Energy Zone’ in the town. The objective of the designation was to promote and stimulate a shift in the use of energy by industry, public bodies, education facilities, and residential communities. This Plan will continue to support the creation of sustainable energy communities. 5.13.5 Creating an Attractive Public Realm As part of the strategy of creating an attractive environment for people to live and work, the Council is in the process of implementing a Public Realm improvement project in the centre of the town. This includes improvements to the streetscape, replacement of street furniture and landscaping, with the objective to improve access for people in the town centre whilst also retaining ease of access for buses, cyclists and cars. 5.13.6 Strategy for Future Employment Growth The strategy for economic development in Dundalk during the life of this Plan, is to build on recent economic successes and continue to maximise the potential of the town for job creation and economic growth. The Council will continue to work closely and engage with infrastructure providers in investing in infrastructure and identifying future requirements to facilitate economic development. Future employment and enterprise development in the employment areas will be concentrated on appropriately zoned lands in the northern and southern parts of the town. FDI investments will continue to be concentrated primarily in the IDA Business Park at Mullagharlin. The employment generating lands on the Armagh Road, and the south-west of the Ballymacscanlon roundabout, opposite Dundalk Stadium, are suitable for various uses including offices, industrial, storage, warehousing and logistics operations. Policy Objective EE 40 To promote the Regional Growth Centre of Dundalk as a primary centre for employment in the County that will allow the town to function as a driver for economic growth in the border area. Policy Objective EE 41 To continue to promote collaboration and partnerships between business and industrial groups and DkIT that will encourage research and development and provide further education and training opportunities for workers.

8. Page 188

   Cite this pagePDF p. 188 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-26 Policy Objective EE 42 To support the role of DkIT as a centre of excellence for education, innovation and research and to support it in achieving Technological University status. Policy Objective EE 43 To promote Dundalk as a location for Foreign Direct Investment. Policy Objective EE 44 To continue to support the implementation of the Mullagharlin Masterplan (see Appendix 4 of Dundalk LAP) which will ensure that future development in the Masterplan area will be of a design and layout of international quality that will allow Dundalk to continue to compete for international investment. Policy Objective EE 45 To support the development of undeveloped employment lands in Dundalk for economic investment and employment generating uses. Policy Objective EE 46 To support economic development and regeneration at Dundalk Port Harbour area.

9. Page 189

   Cite this pagePDF p. 189 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-27 5.14 ARDEE The designation of Ardee as a Self- Sustaining Growth town is testament to the solid employment base in the town, where, in 2016 there was a Jobs:Workforce ratio of 0.93, with in excess of 1,700 jobs in the town. The town has a well-connected road network within the region and border areas via national primary and secondary roads in addition to being in proximity to the motorway. This strategic location, in addition to the availability of lands for employment uses, places Ardee in a strong position to accommodate further employment growth during the life of this Plan. Existing employment in Ardee is concentrated in Ardee Business Park, on the eastern side of the town, and Farrell’s Business Park, to the north of John Street, on the western side of the town. There are also a number of individual businesses operating in various parts of the town. St. Brigid’s Hospital, which is a HSE residential facility, is located on the N52. On the northern edge of the town off the N33 at Cappocksgreen there is a large parcel of undeveloped lands zoned for employment related uses. These lands have the capacity to accommodate significant economic investment. There are also lands available adjacent to Farrell’s Industrial Estate which are presently undeveloped. Policy Objective EE 47 To continue to promote Ardee as a competitive and attractive location for economic development emphasising Foreign Direct Investment. Policy Objective EE 48 To work in partnership with development agencies in the County to promote economic development, enterprise, innovation, research and development, and employment in Ardee. Policy Objective EE 49 To promote and support the development of the lands zoned for employment generating uses at Cappocksgreen in the northern part of the town.4,928 1,819 1,706 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 Population 2016 Resident workers Total Jobs Ardee Profile0.93 60.40% Jobs:Resident Workers Labour force participation rate

10. Page 190

    Cite this pagePDF p. 190 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
    Chapter 5 – Economy and Employment Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 5-28 5.15 DUNLEER Dunleer benefits from convenient access to the motorway which makes the settlement an attractive location for economic investment. Whilst it is a relatively small settlement in terms of population, it has a solid employment base with in excess of 800 jobs in the town in 2016. In the 2016 census the town had the highest Jobs:Workforce in the County with a ratio of 1.1. Employment in Dunleer is concentrated in the Enterprise Park on the Ardee Road where there are a cluster of businesses located, and on the Barn Road to the south east of the town centre. This Plan will continue to promote the economic growth of Dunleer which will allow businesses to cluster with established enterprises thereby strengthening and broadening the employment base and ensuring the town continues to develop on a sustainable platform. Lands in the south-western edge of the town to the west of the R132 have been identified for employment related development. The development of these lands will be subject to the preparation of a Masterplan. Policy Objective EE 50 To continue to promote Dunleer as a competitive and attractive location for economic development. Policy Objective EE 51 To work in partnership with development agencies in the County to promote economic development, enterprise, innovation, research and development, and employment in Dunleer. Policy Objective EE 52 To require the preparation of a masterplan for the lands zoned for Industry, Enterprise and Innovation uses in the south western part of the town. This Masterplan shall include details of the conceptual layout, infrastructure details, and phasing of the development (including the provision of infrastructure).1,822 751 822 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Population 2016 Resident workers Total Jobs Dunleer Profile1.1 62.60% Jobs:Resident Workers Labour force participation rate

Source Louth County Council: Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · 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.