Development plan · Roscommon County Council
Roscommon County Development Plan 2022–2028
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Roscommon County Council · 2022–2028 · 238 pages
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- 6 Economic Development 6.1 Introduction Economic development within the county is a strategic corporate goal for Roscommon County Council, and is a central component of this Plan, in providing a framework for the delivery of this goal in order to secure the future prosperity of the county. The Plan recognises the need for a co-ordinated approach to economic development, employment and population growth in order to ensure that economic growth is central in any future strategy for development of County Roscommon. At county level, economic development is addressed in both the County Development Plan and the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). The County Development Plan is primarily focussed on spatial planning, while the LECP sets out priorities and actions on economic development. Both plans must be consistent with each other and are interlinked in collectively setting the overall strategic vision for the economic growth of the county, with both Plans containing a suite of supporting policies and objectives to be employed in securing this vision. Figure 6.1: County Roscommon’s Strategic Location Roscommon’s central location ensures that all of the major cities, towns and airports across the region are within easy reach. DUBLIN CITY ATHLONE LONGFORD 120km 4km 17km 125km 65km 75km 40km 25km 130km 130km GALWAY SLIGO IRELAND WEST AIRPORT KNOCK SHANNON AIRPORT DUBLIN AIRPORT WESTPORT LIMERICK COUNTY ROSCOMMON 72Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I72
- County Roscommon is strategically located in close proximity to Metropolitan Areas, Regional Growth Centres, third level institutions and international airports, making the county ideal for enterprise development and investment. This Plan sets out flexible policy objectives which are responsive to economic change, advances in technology and changing work practices and which facilitate 21 Roscommon County Council, 2017. opportunities for job creation and investment. Roscommon County Council, and in particular the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), will work with relevant stakeholders to sustain and enhance the diversity of existing employment in the county, and to identify, encourage, facilitate and support new opportunities for indigenous employment and inward investment throughout the county. 6.2 The Contribution of Roscommon’s Towns and Villages Each of the main settlement centres have a strong individual enterprise focus, with Town Teams bringing together people from community, business and statutory sectors to promote the various opportunities to live in, do business or just enjoy their towns. The Settlement Plans contained in Volume II for the four identified Self Sustaining Towns set out further detail on the enterprise focus of each. County Roscommon has been relatively successful in attracting Foreign Direct Investment and this Plan will enable the continuation of this through the zoning of lands for Strategic Industrial and Enterprise development. The strength of the county’s micro-enterprises must also be acknowledged, with 94% of all enterprises falling into this category. The promotion of supports to micro-enterprises, family run businesses, agricultural diversification and niche activities is a sustainable approach to co- ordinate economic growth with population and employment growth. I n v e s t R o s c o m m o n 2 1 i s a specialisation strategy which identif ies opportunities for targeted investment in the main settlements of the county. The strategy outlines key areas for economic development in these settlements which are: g Innovation and ICT g Life Sciences g Tourism and Arts g Agri-Food g Creative Industries g Culture and Heritage While the settlements of Monksland/Bellanamullia (being part of Athlone) and Roscommon may be best placed to capitalise on new development opportunities, this strategy allows the other settlements to also be competitive when attracting new investment. Invest Roscommon is not intended as a single entity in outlining the overall economic strategy for the county, but it should be seen as an overall guide to inform and assist the economic growth of the settlements where possible. This Plan seeks to promote economic activity in town and village centres by setting out a policy position that will be attractive to new businesses and will assist the consolidation of existing businesses. 7373Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 6: Economic Development
- The villages in County Roscommon are also vital to sustaining the county’s wider hinterland, providing sustainable rural employment including local services provision, appropriate scale commercial enterprises, indigenous industry and microenterprises. The opportunity for these villages to develop as Smart Villages due to the potential offered by improved rural connectivity has already been discussed in Chapter 3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: ED 6.1 Ensure that sufficient and suitable land is reserved for new industry/enterprise development and other employment uses in a range of sizes at key locations throughout the county. ED 6.2 Promote the co-ordinated alignment of population and employment in designated growth towns, providing for natural increases and to enable towns to become more economically self-sustaining, in line with the quality and capacity of public transport, services and infrastructure available. ED 6.3 Support appropriately scaled economic development and services, together with the enhancement of local infrastructure and amenities and improved sustainable transport links. ED 6.4 Support the regeneration of the core areas of the county’s settlements through sustainable, targeted measures that address vacancy, encourage economic development and deliver sustainable reuse and regeneration outcomes. ED 6.5 Continue the promotion of a unique niche economic development approach in each of the urban settlements in the county. ED 6.6 Support appropriately scaled development in the villages of the county in line with the development of a SMART village network as outlined in Policy Objective 3.20. ED 6.7 Support the establishment of a network of ‘remote working’ hubs and enterprise spaces within the county. ED 6.8 Facilitate the future expansion of existing Industrial/Business Parks, in circumstances where the existing parks are substantially complete and occupied and there is a demonstrable need for further expansion. 74Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I74 Chapter 6: Economic Development
- 6.3 The Role of Rural Roscommon The rural economy is vital to sustaining rural populations, as well as contributing to the success of the larger growth centres which they serve. It is acknowledged that businesses in rural areas, and their employees, benef it f rom the high quality of life and the opportunities arising from the available capacity in local social, community and educational facilities. This Plan seeks to accommodate proposals for small scale enterprise in rural areas, including the suitable expansion of existing facilities, subject to relevant planning considerations, including demonstration that the nature of the activity is appropriate to the rural area and evidence that it cannot be accommodated on zoned land in the towns within the county. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: ED 6.9 Support the development of rural resource based industries in rural areas, subject to compliance with appropriate planning and servicing requirements. ED 6.10 Facilitate proposals for new small-scale rural enterprises or extensions to existing smallscale, rural-based, indigenous activity, subject to compliance with appropriate planning and servicing requirements. ED 6.11 Facilitate new commercial uses for vacant or derelict buildings, including buildings in rural areas, subject to compliance with appropriate planning and servicing requirements. 7575Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 6: Economic Development
- 6.4 Retail Strategy Retail development plays an important function in the socio-economic development of the county. Its contribution to employment is particularly significant. In addition to generating direct employment, it also creates demand for local goods and services. The County Roscommon Retail Strategy which has been prepared as part of this Plan provides a framework for retail development for the duration of the Plan period. The priority for the location of retail development is in town and village centres in line with the sequential approach to retail development. The delineation of core town retail areas in the Settlement Plans for the four Self-Sustaining Towns contained in Volume 2 of the Plan establishes the framework from which the sequential approach can be applied. The same principle will apply in subsequent Local Area Plans. Retail policies contained below should be read in conjunction with the County Roscommon Retail Strategy which forms part of this Plan. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: ED 6.12 Ensure that all proposals for retail development comply with the principles outlined in the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012) and the County Roscommon Retail Strategy which accompanies this plan, or any subsequent update of the Guidelines or Strategy. ED 6.13 Protect and reinforce the established central retailing and service areas of town centres and encourage and facilitate retailing, particularly convenience and non-bulky comparison retail uses, as the key function within the town and village centres of the county. ED 6.14 Permit retail development of a size and scale which is appropriate to the level of the settlement area, including its population, as defined within the county retail hierarchy. This policy is intended to consolidate and reinforce existing retail enterprises within the county and permit the development of additional retail floorspace where such development is deemed to be appropriate. ED 6.15 Prioritise the uptake of existing vacant retail floorspace above the development of new additional retail floorspace. In addition to a requirement to adhere to the sequential approach in respect of the location of new retail development proposals, evidence will also be required to substantiate the need for new retail floorspace development. ED 6.16 Conduct a review of the County Roscommon Retail Strategy within two years of the adoption of the County Development Plan. 7676Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 6: Economic Development
- 6.5 Extractive Industries County Roscommon has extensive deposits of stone and mineral material, which is a fundamental resource for the building industry. 22 Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, 2004. It is recognised that quarrying and extractive industry has an important function in the economy of the county and that it is an important source of employment in parts of the county. By their nature, aggregates can only be worked where they occur. However, it is also recognised that extractive industries can give rise to detrimental environmental and residential amenity impacts, including traffic congestion, dust, noise/vibration, water pollution, visual intrusion and the effects on local road networks may also be significant. The Council seeks to ensure that the extractive and concrete products industry follows an environmental code of practice, in order to minimise potential adverse impacts on the environment and local communities. In considering development applications relating to existing or proposed quarries, the Council will take full account of Quarries and Ancillary Activities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities.22 In considering proposals for quarrying and associated developments, the Council will have regard to the protection of residential amenity and natural resources, the prevention of pollution and the safeguarding of aquifers and groundwater. The development of new quarries will be strictly controlled in areas of high landscape value, in European designated sites, Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), Nature Reserves or other areas of importance for the conservation of flora and fauna, or in areas of significant archaeological potential. Section 12.21 sets out Development Management Standards applicable to proposals relating to the extractive industry. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: ED 6.17 Facilitate the extraction of minerals and aggregates and associated processing where such activities do not have a significant negative impact on the environment, landscape, public health, archaeology or residential amenities of neighbouring settlements and where such operations are in compliance with all national regulations and guidelines applicable to quarrying and mining activities. ED 6.18 Ensure that the development of aggregate resources (stone and sand/gravel deposits) is carried out in a manner which minimises effects on the environment, including the Natura 2000 network and its sustaining habitats (including water dependent habitats and species), amenities, infrastructure and the community, and can demonstrate environmental enhancement through habitat management plans/ecological restoration. ED 6.19 Support adequate supplies of aggregate resources to meet the future growth needs of the county and the wider region where there is a proven need for a certain mineral/aggregate and to exercise appropriate control, while addressing key environmental, traffic and social impacts. ED 6.20 Require appropriate restoration of quarried lands and encourage the reuse of worked out quarries for ecological and geological benefit and / or for recreational, educational and agricultural purposes. 7777Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 6: Economic Development
- 6.6 Just Transition The concept of ‘Just Transition’ is an economy-wide process that produces the plans, policies and investments that lead to environmentally and socially sustainable jobs, sectors and economies. The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a key pillar of the Government’s Just Transition Plan for the Midlands region, with the aim of supporting the retraining and reskilling of workers and to assist local communities and businesses in the Midlands to adjust to the low carbon transition. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY OBJECTIVES It is a policy objective of Roscommon County Council to: ED 6.21 Engage with all relevant government stakeholders, sectoral representatives, ESB and Bord na Móna in developing and supporting sustainable alternative economic development, guided by the principles of ‘Just Transition’, for those employees and communities affected by the closure of the ESB Lough Ree Power Station and associated Bord na Móna peat harvesting practices. 78Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I78 Chapter 6: Economic Development
- 6.7 Tourism County Roscommon is rich in history and heritage, and benefits from a range of popular attractions such as the Rathcroghan Archaeological Complex, Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, The Beara Breifne Way, Roscommon Castle, Clonalis House, Arigna Mining Experience and Strokestown Park House, Gardens and National Famine Museum, attracting both national and international visitors. The county offers a unique tourism experience, provided by these attractions in combination with the natural landscape, waterways and walking and cycling routes. Roscommon County Council’s Tourism Strategy 2017-2022 acknowledges the strengths of waterbased activities, heritage and communities. Spatial planning has a role in the delivery of a number of objectives in the Tourism Strategy, including the development of flagship projects and the development of the Shannon Corridor blueway. Having regard to national and regional tourism policy, the Council is committed to supporting the growth of tourism, taking full advantage of national and regional initiatives and funding schemes and maximising the potential of the unique natural, heritage, cultural, and amenity assets. Roscommon County Council together with LEADER, Fáilte Ireland and local communities are working together to develop tourism throughout the county, utilising the natural landscape and heritage to offer the visitor a unique destination. The Council will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies, stakeholders and other established working groups to continue to support collective development and marketing initiatives underway. In 2018 Fáilte Ireland launched Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands regional tourism brand. Working with Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Roscommon County Council will build on the tourism assets of the county to create key visitor experiences and unique tourism offerings for the visitor. The implementation of the Shannon Tourism Master Plan and the Tourism Masterplan for the Beara- Breifne Way will enable the development of these two key resources within the wider region, both of which traverse County Roscommon. The Council will continue to work with all partners and the industry, to further increase the brand recognition of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, with both domestic and international appeal. The Shannon Tourism Masterplan also identifies an emerging development proposal for the Mid Shannon zone to create a dedicated Lough Ree Biosphere Reserve. This would celebrate the natural heritage of Lough Ree and the surrounding raised bogs and wetlands, as well as encompassing proposals for rewilding of (post-production) peatlands. The proposed Biosphere Reserve project is a collaboration between the relevant Local Authorities, Bord na Móna and the National Parks and Wildlife Services, Waterways Ireland and Failte Ireland. If progressed, the project may achieve the UNESCO Biosphere status during the lifetime of this Plan. 7979Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I Chapter 6: Economic Development
- The increased demand for activity lead tourism over the past decade has resulted in walking and cycling becoming increasingly popular activities. In 2019, almost 25% of all tourists to Ireland partook in some form of hiking/walking or cycling. Increasing travel through walking or cycling rather than using a vehicle can result in long term benefits for our local communities, as people stay/shop local and reduce the carbon footprint. There are over 20 walking and cycling routes throughout the county and these have been highlighted in the publication entitled Roscommon Walks a n d C ycl ewa y B o o k l e t . T h ro u g h f u n d i n g f ro m the Outdoor Recreation Inf rastructure Scheme, Roscommon County Council, Coillte and local communities have developed and upgraded many of the counties walking and cycling trails, and will continue to work together closely to ensure the continued development of these trails. Table 6.1 details the 20 routes. The Council recognises the numerous benefits arising from the further development of walking and cycling routes, in particular as a tourism product with signif icant potential to attract overseas visitors, for local communities in terms of economic benefits, and for all users as an amenity for physical activity and a contributor to health and wellbeing. Accordingly, it is Council policy to continue to expand and create an integrated network of greenways across the County and maximise pedestrian and cycle access to same. As noted in Chapter 5, opportunities for alternative and supplementary employment for farm families, such as off-farm employment, multiple activities and agri-tourism, will be crucial to the survival of many rural communities in County Roscommon. Agriculture is supported as the primary rural land use, though emphasis is also placed on encouraging and supporting farmers to add new enterprises within farming such as agri-tourism, or alternatively diversify into new growth areas such as rural tourism and eco-tourism. Although rural tourism remains a relatively small niche in the overall tourism context, local communities can benefit from the promotion of local assets and the development of specialist activities. 80Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 – Volume I80 Chapter 6: Economic Development
Source Roscommon County Council: Roscommon County Development Plan 2022–2028 (2022–2028) · 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.