Regional strategy (RSES) · Eastern and Midland Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019–2031
The regional strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region, including the Dublin Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan.
Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly · June 2019 · 244 pages
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- Tionól Reigiúnach Oirthir agus Lár-Tíre Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy 2019-2031
- Contents i Director’s Foreward ......................................................4 ii Members of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly .......................................4 iii Cathaoirleach’s Message ...........................................5 CHAPTER 1: Introduction 6 1.1 Vision ...............................................................................6 1.2 Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly ................6 1.3 What is a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES)? ...........................................................8 1.4 Spatial and Economic Policy Background...............10 1.5 The RSES Process ........................................................ 13 1.6 Regional Profile ............................................................ 14 CHAPTER 2: Strategic Vision 20 2.1 Our Shared Goals ....................................................... 20 2.2 Vision and Key Principles ..........................................23 2.3 Regional Strategic Outcomes .................................. 24 CHAPTER 3: Growth Strategy 26 3.1 Developing a Growth Strategy for the Region.......27 3.2 Growth Enablers for the Region ...............................33 CHAPTER 4: People and Place 42 4.1 Introduction and context .......................................... 42 4.2 Settlement Strategy ................................................... 44 4.3 Defining a Settlement Typology .............................. 47 4.4 Dublin City and Suburbs ............................................52 4.5 Regional Growth Centres...........................................53 4.6 Key Towns ..................................................................... 71 4.7 Self-Sustaining Growth Towns and Self-Sustaining Towns ............................................... 93 4.8 Rural Places: Towns, Villages and the Countryside ................................................................. 94 CHAPTER 5: Dublin Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) 98 5.1 Introduction and Context ......................................... 98 5.2 Vision .......................................................................... 100 5.3 Guiding Principles for the growth of the Dublin Metropolitan Area .................................................... 101 5.4 Metropolitan Area Strategy ....................................102 5.5 Enabling Infrastructure ........................................... 106 5.6 Integrated Land use and Transportation ..............107 5.7 Housing Delivery ........................................................112 5.8 Employment Generation .......................................... 114 5.9 Green Infrastructure and Amenities ......................116 CHAPTER 6: Economy and Employment 120 6.1 Introduction ................................................................120 6.2 Profile ...........................................................................122 6.3 Economic Strategy ....................................................124 6.4 The Region’s Economic Engines and their Sectoral Opportunities ................................... 132 6.5 Specific sectors: Retail, Tourism, Marine, Low Carbon Economy and Agriculture .................136 6.6 Drivers for Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth .....................................142 6.7 Capacity Building: Bidding capacity, Shared evidence base, future proof, and anticipating economic structural changes .................................148 2 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- CHAPTER 7: Environment and Climate 150 7.1 Introduction ................................................................150 7.2 Integrated Land and Marine Planning ..................152 7.3 A Clean and Healthy Environment ........................155 7.4 Flood Risk Management ..........................................156 7.5 Biodiversity and Natural Heritage ........................ 160 7.6 Ecosystem Services...................................................163 7.7 Green Infrastructure .................................................164 7.8 Landscape ...................................................................169 7.9 Climate Change .........................................................172 CHAPTER 8: Connectivity 182 8.1 Introduction ................................................................182 8.2 Transport Strategy ....................................................183 8.3 Framework for the Integration of Transport planning with Spatial Planning Policies ................185 8.4 Transport Investment Priorities ............................ 160 8.5 International Connectivity.......................................194 8.6 Communications Network and Digital Infrastructure .............................................................197 CHAPTER 9: Quality of Life 198 9.1 Introduction ................................................................198 9.2 Diverse and Inclusive Region ..................................199 9.3 Housing and Regeneration ......................................201 9.4 Healthy Placemaking ...............................................205 9.5 Social and Economic Opportunity ........................208 9.6 Access to Childcare, Education and Health Services ...................................................211 9.7 Access to Arts, Culture, Language and Heritage ...............................................................214 CHAPTER 10: Infrastructure 218 10.1 Introduction ................................................................218 10.2 Sustainable Management of Water ......................219 10.3 Energy ......................................................................... 224 10.4 Waste Management ................................................ 227 CHAPTER 11: All Island Cohesion 228 11.1 Introduction ............................................................... 228 11.2 Collaboration with Northern Ireland in Support of an All Island Approach ....................... 229 CHAPTER 12: Implementation and Monitoring 234 12.1 Introduction ...............................................................234 12.2 Legislative Background ........................................... 235 12.3 Implementation ........................................................ 237 12.4 Monitoring and Reporting .......................................241 List of Tables ...................................................................... 242 List of Figures .................................................................... 243 Appendices EMRA RSES Appendix A Asset-Based Criteria Appendix B SPA and County Population Tables Appendix C Economic Chapter Appendices Appendix D Environmental Legislation and Policy Background Appendix E Functional Urban Area Methodology Appendix F List of Designated Sites in EMRA Appendix G Glossary Appendix H List of Flood Relief Schemes to be advanced in initial phase to detailed design and construction Appendix I List of Regional Policy Objectives 3Contents
- Director’s Foreword A Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) is a strategic plan and investment framework to shape future growth and to better manage regional planning and economic development throughout the Region. It identifies regional assets, opportunities and pressures and provides appropriate policy responses in the form of Regional Policy Objectives. This RSES brings together for the first time spatial planning, economic policy and provides the environment for investment, and in doing so it marks a significant policy milestone for Regional Government in Ireland. Members from the 12 local authorities that constitute the Region, came together as an Assembly to make, for the first time, an overarching strategy that benefits the entire Region. In making this Strategy the Assembly is playing a key role in informing new approaches towards assisting in the delivery of regional development. Established in 2015, the Assembly spent its initial setup period developing a comprehensive understanding of the needs of its stakeholders, particularly across the areas such as place making, housing, economic opportunity, our environment and heritage and the regions infrastructure challenges. An evidence based approach, to establish the issues and identify solutions, was undertaken by the Assemblies executive team and underpins the Strategy. A vision for the Region was developed by the elected members and stakeholders to guide and inform the policies and objectives of the Strategy. The RSES builds on the foundations of Government policy in Project Ireland 2040, which combines spatial planning with capital investment, and has been prepared from an extensive bottom up consultation process. It is an integrated cohesive policy document that provides a Spatial Strategy to manage future growth in the region. It is a Climate Action Strategy to accelerate climate action. It is an Economic Strategy to sustain and strengthen our economy and a Metropolitan Plan for the sustainable growth of Dublin as an international city. Finally, it is an Investment Framework to prioritise funding. Throughout the strategy there are 3 cross cutting key principles; • Healthy Placemaking - To promote people’s quality of life through the creation of healthy and attractive places to live, work, visit, invest and study in. • Climate Action - The need to enhance climate resilience and to accelerate a transition to a low carbon society recognising the role of natural capital and ecosystem services in achieving this. • Economic Opportunity - To create the right conditions and opportunities for the Region to realise sustainable economic growth and quality jobs that ensure a good living standard for all. The Assembly recognises the opportunities in the changing dynamic in Ireland and the Strategy seeks to optimise investment in the region and maximise the potential of national and European funding. This will be done through partnership with stakeholders and in collaboration with other agencies to deliver on the shared vision of the Strategy and to continue building a sustainable, healthy and resilient region. Jim Conway, Director 4 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- Cathaoirleach’s Message It gives me great pleasure to introduce the first Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region, which has been made by the Regional Assembly. It marks the result of extensive consultation and work across the region and it demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of regional government. At the outset I would like to thank and commend my colleagues from the 12 local authorities represented on this Assembly who worked tirelessly to ensure that an equitable and far sighted strategy, designed to achieve balanced regional growth across the entire region, is now in place to ensure a clear roadmap for achieving healthy placemaking, climate action and economic opportunity for all citizens. Starting in 2017, we sought the views of individuals and organisations to build up a picture of what was needed to ensure the future of the people who live, work and lead their lives in our Region and indeed that of the generations to come. I would like also to thank everyone who contributed to bringing the Strategy together, be they individuals or those who work for the many stakeholders who actively participated in this production. Ours is a diverse region, stretching from a vibrant national capital of international significance through areas of rich heritage and immense natural beauty that support a varied tourism and recreation offering. We have natural assets include the raised bogs and lakes in the Midlands, the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Slieve Bloom mountains, the bays and estuaries of the eastern seaboard and inland waterways such as the Royal and Grand Canals and the Shannon corridor. Our built heritage includes historic and walled towns, world class museums and attractions such as the Book of Kells and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Brú na Boinne, the medieval monasteries of Clonmacnoise and Glendalough and a number of historic castles, houses and demesne landscapes. This Strategy will ensure that we focus on maximising these great advantages as well as identifying new opportunities and planning for the foreseen and unforeseen challenges that await us, both here in Ireland and internationally. This Strategy marks a significant step forward by regions in Ireland and demonstrates what we can achieve when we pull all our regional strength together. It now falls to us to make sure the objectives of the Strategy are met and I look forward to being a part of making this happen over the coming years. Eddie Fitzpatrick, Cathoirleach Members of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly Dublin City Council (DCC) Paddy Bourke Christy Burke Ciarán Cuffe Gaye Fagan Mary Freehill Dermot Lacey Claire O’Connor South Dublin County Council (SDCC) Francis Duffy Pamela Kearns Robert Russell Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council (DLR) Kate Feeney Mary Hanafin Pat Hand Lettie McCarthy Barry Ward Fingal County Council (FCC) Kieran Dennison David Healy Brian McDonagh Louth County Council Conor Keelan Colm Markey Kildare County Council Ivan Keatley Padraig McEvoy Martin Miley Meath County Council Brian Fitzgerald Maria Murphy Tommy Reilly Wicklow County Council Thomas Cullen Derek Mitchell Pat Vance Irene Winters Offaly County Council Eamon Dooley Eddie Fitzpatrick Longford County Council Mick Cahill PJ Reilly Westmeath County Council Andrew Duncan Paddy Hill Laois County Council Paddy Bracken Catherine Fitzgerald 5
- 1 Introduction 1.1 Vision The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy is a strategic plan and investment framework to shape the future development of our Region to 2031 and beyond…. “To create a sustainable and competitive Region that supports the health and wellbeing of our people and places, from urban to rural, with access to quality housing, travel and employment opportunities for all” 1.2 Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly was established on 1st January 2015. The Region covers nine counties containing twelve local authorities namely – Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Louth, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils and Dublin City Council. The Region includes 3 subregions or Strategic Planning Areas (SPAs), namely the Midland, Eastern and Dublin SPAs (see Figure1.1). 6 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- One of the principal functions of the members of the Assembly is the delivery of a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), a new concept in Irish planning where not only the spatial but also the economic factors that set out the future of the Region are brought together into one all-encompassing strategy. The Regional Assembly also has functions in relation to European funding and programming as well as a permanent presence in Brussels with the Irish Regions EU Office. The Assembly is the secretariat for the national delegation to the Committee of the Regions, and manages the economist function on behalf of the three Assemblies. It is a stated objective of the Assembly to have an increased role in the management of European funding post 2020 in line with that of the other two Regional Assemblies. Furthermore, the Regional Assembly’s functions can be expanded with a significant role in the delivery and application of investment under Project Ireland 2040 (PI 2040), which includes the National Planning Framework (NPF) 2040 and a detailed capital investment plan, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027. Midland Region Eastern Region Dublin Region Longford Louth Fingal Westmeath Meath South Dublin Dublin City Dún Laoghaire -Rathdown Laois Wicklow Offaly Kildare Figure 1.1 EMRA Strategic Planning Areas 7Introduction
- 1.3 What is a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES)? A RSES is a strategic plan which identifies regional assets, opportunities and pressures and provides appropriate policy responses in the form of Regional Policy Objectives. At this strategic level it provides a framework for investment to better manage spatial planning and economic development throughout the Region. The RSES provides a: • Spatial Strategy – to manage future growth and ensure the creation of healthy and attractive places to live, work, study, visit and invest in. • Economic Strategy – that builds on our strengths to sustain a strong economy and support the creation of quality jobs that ensure a good living standard for all. • Metropolitan Plan – to ensure a supply of strategic development areas for the sustainable growth and continued success and competitiveness of the Dublin Metropolitan Area. • Investment Framework – to prioritise the delivery of key enabling infrastructure and services by government and state agencies. • Climate Action Strategy – to accelerate climate action, ensure a clean and healthy environment and to promote sustainable transport and strategic green infrastructure. The principal statutory purpose of the RSES is to support the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 and the economic policies and objectives of the Government by providing a long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of the Region. The RSES is required under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to address employment, retail, housing, transport, water services, energy and communications, waste management, education, health, sports and community facilities, environment and heritage, landscape, sustainable development and climate change. The RSES is a significant evolution of regional policy making and replaces the current Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs). These provided strategic policy and recommendations at a regional level with which both county and city development plans have to be consistent in policy making. Three RPGs have been operational in the Region – the Border (which includes Louth), the Midland and the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) RPGs, 2010-2022. The regional tier of governance in Ireland sits in the middle of the planning hierarchy and the policy making at this level has to be consistent with the NPF, as does that at a local level with the RSES, see Figure 1.2 which shows the Spatial Planning Hierarchy in Ireland. The RSES will be implemented in policy by way of review by local authorities of all development plans and Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) after the adoption of this Strategy. Key state agencies and sectoral bodies will also have to consider their strategies and investment plans in light of the adoption of the RSES. The RSES will be realised by the delivery of European and National funding that will achieve the Regional Strategic Outcomes (and NPF National Strategic Outcomes) expressed in the Strategy. These funds will focus on the priorities and key aspects of the RSES to sustainably grow the Region to 2031 and beyond. The RSES is informed by: • Project Ireland 2040 – the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, economic and other relevant policies of the government, including climate change plans and the ten-year capital investment plan. • Consultation process – Three public consultation display periods during the process. An initial public and stakeholder consultation process with an issues paper and 171 submission received. A 12 week public consultation period on the Draft RSES where 312 submissions were received. And a further 4 week public consultation period on propsed material amendments to the Draft RSES with 106 submissions received. • Engagement process - Engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders in the Region through Technical Working Groups and Senior Officials Advisory Group. • Socio- Economic Profile – a Regional Profile and Map Viewer was prepared for the Region in collaboration with the All Island Research Observatory (AIRO) in Maynooth University, as part of our commitment to evidence informed policy making and evaluation. • Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – a parallel SEA, Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Flood Risk Assessment (RFRA) process informs each stage in the making of the RSES. 8 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- Government Department Local Government Regional Assembly Project Ireland 2040 NPF/NDP Regional & Spatial Economic Strategy RSES/MASP Other regional plans and programmes i.e. Regional Enterprise Strategies Economic and other government policies e.g. Climate Action Plan Local Economic and Community Plans LAP, UAP or SDZ City & County Development Plans Figure 1.2 Spatial Planning Hierarchy in Ireland 9Introduction
- 1.4 Spatial and Economic Policy Background Developing the Strategy is achieved through the integration of spatial and economic policy both horizontally (across sectors) and vertically. By ensuring good alignment with European and National policy, the RSES can ensure that investment is targeted towards identified policy and objectives. Key policy parameters for the RSES growth strategy are also set by national policy documents including the NPF and the National Development Plan 2018- 2027 along with Ireland’s National Enterprise Policy 2015-2025 Enterprise 2025. European Socio-Economic Policy European spatial planning is closely interlinked with a number of trans-national, regional, economic and environmental policies and programmes. The European Union’s cohesion policy is currently divided into 11 Thematic Objectives (TO) aimed at reducing disparities in the development of its territories and to contribute to the priorities of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth envisaged by the Strategy “Europe 2020”. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its Regions. It is implemented at regional level through Regional Operational Programmes (ROPs) for the period 2014-2020. ROP objectives include; to increase competitiveness; to support innovation and investment in human capital; to enhance the natural attractor; to promote energy efficiency and sustainable mobility and to promote policies for social inclusion. The next EU programming period 2021-2027 is under development, there is an emerging convergence of territorial and cohesion policy in this process, which will give greater focus on the delivery of national and regional spatial policy. The European Commission has proposed a new framework for the future Regional Development and Cohesion Policy that identifies five main objectives: • A smarter Europe (innovative and smart economic transformation) • A greener, low-carbon Europe (including energy transition, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk management) • A more connected Europe (mobility and ICT connectivity) • A more social Europe (European Pillar of Social Rights) • A Europe closer to citizens (sustainable development of urban, rural and coastal areas and local initiatives). Project Ireland 2040 – National Planning Framework and National Development Plan With the publication of a new national spatial policy in February 2018 with Project Ireland 2040 (PI 2040)– National Planning Framework (NPF), which is underpinned by capital investment in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018- 2027, Ireland is undergoing a review of planning and economic policy from the national level, to the regional and the local. The preparation of the RSES has been directly informed by PI 2040 and the National Policy Objectives contained therein. One of the key drivers for the NPF is the promotion of effective regional development that manages more balanced growth between the three Irish Regions; the Eastern and Midland Region, the Northern and Western Region and the Southern Region. The NPF sets out a preferred ‘regional parity’ scenario where the growth of the other Regions would at least match that of the Eastern and Midland Region. While it is recognised that Dublin is at the forefront of international competition for investment, the NPF encourages significant regional concentration towards the second-tier cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford and some regionally important larger settlements, such as Athlone, Dundalk and Drogheda. The key elements of the growth strategy identified at the national level, which set the parameters for the development of the RSES growth strategy include: • Regional parity between the EMRA, and NWRA and SRA combined • Regional concentration toward cities and some regionally important larger settlements • A focus on contained growth and reduced sprawl by targeting infill and brownfield lands in existing built-up areas • Sequential provision of infrastructure with some critical infrastructure in place to promote investment • A Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan to deliver compact regeneration and growth in the Dublin metropolitan area and • A comprehensive approach to rural fabric supporting sustainable growth and reversing decline. 10 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
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