Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019–2031

1. Page 61

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   Drogheda is identified as the fastest growing town in the Country in the most recent inter-census period. Drogheda’s location on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, combined with its existing physical, economic and social asset base, provides significant sustainable growth potential. If promoted, this latent potential can help to realise the growth potential of the broader Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry cross-border network as an engine for sustainable regional development. Key priorities are to promote the continued sustainable and compact growth of Drogheda as a regional driver of city scale with a target population of 50,000 by 2031. The objective is to provide for the regeneration of the town centre, the compact planned and co-ordinated growth of the town’s hinterland along with enhancing Drogheda’s role as a self-sustaining strategic employment centre on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. The dynamic of securing investment, while driving synergies between the Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry cross border network, and building on the existing education and skills base in the region are promoted within the Strategy period. In order to enhance co-ordination of development in Drogheda where the town and its environs lie within the combined functional area of two local authorities, the preparation and adoption of a statutory Joint Urban Area Plan (UAP), to be jointly prepared by Louth County Council and Meath County Council will be a priority. The UAP will provide for a coordinated planning framework to identify and deliver strategic sites and regeneration areas so that a minimum of 30% compact growth can be achieved. Regeneration: There are underutilized areas in Drogheda where there is opportunity for regeneration and place making. The revitalization and redevelopment of the town centre will be prioritised including the regeneration of opportunity sites and their surrounding areas. The integrated physical, economic and social regeneration of identified areas will be promoted capitalizing on existing facilities. It is recognized that the regeneration dynamic can present opportunities to combat social exclusion in the town. The physical, economic and social regeneration of the Heritage Quarter is promoted including the renewal of the Westgate area, as provided for in the townscape recovery guide ‘Westgate Vision’, which has secured funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The vision supports the adaption and reuse of vacant buildings, the sensitive redevelopment of vacant lands for new homes and businesses within a dynamic public realm investment program to provide an attractive and well-designed urban district. The RSES supports this approach as an alternative option to new development on greenfield sites. Additional regeneration opportunities such as the regeneration of the Drogheda Docklands will be identified in the joint UAP. The UAP will ensure that a coordinated approach is taken to future compact growth, sustainable development and investment to enhance Drogheda’s role as a compact Regional Growth Centre. 61People & Place

2. Page 62

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   Residential Development: Key to the success of Drogheda as a self-sustaining Regional Growth Centre is targeted compact growth through the renewal and regeneration of underused, vacant and/or derelict town centre lands for residential and commercial development facilitated through the joint UAP. The availability of vacant and derelict serviced sites for residential development within the town centre also allows for an opportunity to contribute towards place making. In this regard the regeneration of the Westgate Area, will attract more people to live in the town core. It is acknowledged that rapid phases of housing delivery in recent years requires the need to promote self-sustaining economic and employment-based development opportunities in the town to provide for employment growth for the existing population and to reverse commuting patterns. Job opportunities in the town will also help to combat social exclusion. The development of existing town centre brownfield and infill sites and the sustainable and co-ordinated development of zoned lands in the northern environs and southern environs of the town will be supported. The objective is to create compact mixed use employment and residential communities in key locations and in proximity to established residential areas and transport hubs while balancing growth north and south of the town centre. Tourism: Drogheda at the gateway to the Boyne Valley is of international significance in terms of its historical narrative, archaeology, architecture and urban heritage. The historic significance of Drogheda with its foundation in the 12th century and significant events in Irish history, most notably, the sacking of Drogheda by Cromwell’s forces in 1649 and the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Drogheda offers significant heritage and tourism potential, both within the town itself where the town’s rich urban heritage is evident in the archaeology and architecture within the historic town core, and also as a gateway to heritage sites outside the town in the Boyne Valley. The River Boyne is the most important natural amenity of Drogheda and should be central to any future strategy for the town and its regeneration. Enhancing and developing the existing parklands and open space to the west of the town will provide an important new link to Brú na Boinne and beyond and allow the recreational value and leisure uses of this area to be maximised. Economic Development: Drogheda is strategically located between the Dublin and Belfast Metropolitan areas with access to the deep labour markets in both the Dublin and Belfast city regions. The further development of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor providing improved accessibility for setup or relocation of indigenous businesses and FDI to the area will enhance its role as a key regional economic driver. To support economic growth and competitiveness and realise the potential of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, continued crossborder collaboration and co-operation between the relevant departments, agencies and stakeholders will be necessary. Drogheda has developed a strong and broad employment base in the range of services and manufacturers it supports, principally in the financial, payment, shared services and food technology sectors. Drogheda shall promote further employment growth based on the attractiveness of its assets and the quality of life offering for workers and residents. This can include additional employment opportunities, including high value jobs, to provide for a greater jobs to residents ratio. The establishment of The Mill in Drogheda hosting numerous start-up companies highlights the existing pool of entrepreneurial talent present that will continue to be supported and developed. There is opportunity for Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) to continue to develop as a centre for excellence for education with a Drogheda campus. There is also potential with the Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE), enhancing the educational offer in the north east. The retention of indigenous talent can be achieved by providing appropriate and career advancing employment opportunities locally or in sustainable urban centres of scale within the Dublin- Belfast Economic Corridor accessible by public transport. The role of the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital as a significant employer and centre of excellence in health in the region is acknowledged, providing services to the surrounding region. Finally there is a requirement for both a transport strategy and a retail strategy to be prepared as part of the joint UAP process in order to coordinate land use and transportation and to provide for sustainable retail development in Drogheda and its hinterland. 62 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

3. Page 63

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   Enabling Infrastructure: The joint UAP shall provide a coordinated planning framework by the local authorities and other agencies to identify and deliver strategic development and regeneration areas to achieve compact growth targets and to prioritise infrastructure investment The goal of achieving compact urban growth will increase the need to improve accessibility and sustainable mobility. There will need to be investment in the requisite infrastructure to enable Drogheda to develop as a sustainable Regional Growth Centre. Drogheda will benefit from the proposed DART expansion programme identified in Project Ireland 2040, which will provide for a fast, high-frequency electrified rail service to the town to enhance the existing heavy rail service. The existing McBride Rail Station will continue to be the main public transport hub for Drogheda and its environs. However, accessibility to the station will need to be improved, including access to the undeveloped lands to the east of the station, and stronger linkage should be forged between rail and bus services in the town. Drogheda is strategically located on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and the existing high capacity road and national rail links play a critical role in supporting economic growth and competitiveness for the region. The RSES supports the improvement and protection of walking and cycling routes such as the Boyne Greenway and public transport provision including accessibility by rail in order to support sustainable productivity growth while protecting the intraregional capacity of the existing motorway network. The planning and delivery of the Drogheda Flood Relief Scheme will protect existing development and future growth. The RSES recognises and supports the regional significance and role of Drogheda Port including its potential for relocation and the future development of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR). 63People & Place

4. Page 64

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   Drogheda Joint Urban Area Plan (UAP) A cross boundary statutory Joint Urban Area Plan (UAP) for the Regional Growth Centre of Drogheda shall be jointly prepared by Louth and Meath County Councils in collaboration with EMRA. The UAP will support, the development of Drogheda as an attractive, vibrant and highly accessible Regional Centre and economic driver. The joint UAP will provide a coordinated planning framework to identify and deliver strategic sites and regeneration areas for the future physical, economic and social development of Drogheda to ensure it achieves targeted compact brownfield / infill growth of a minimum of 30% and ensure a coordinated approach is taken to the future growth and development of the town to ensure that it has the capacity to grow sustainably and secure investment as a Regional Growth Centre on the Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor. The joint UAP will identify a functional urban area and plan boundary for the plan area and strategic housing and employment development areas and infrastructure investment requirements to promote greater coordination and sequential delivery of serviced lands for development. The RSES envisages a population target of 50,000 is for the entire settlement of Drogheda up to 2031. This includes lands within the combined functional area of the two local authorities of Louth and Meath. The preparation and adoption of a statutory Joint Urban Area Plan (UAP) by Louth and Meath County Councils is to be a priority. The joint UAP under agreement of both local authorities, is the appropriate mechanism to determine the functional urban area and plan boundary along with the distribution of population which should be generally in proportion to existing population levels in each local authority area. In tandem with the requirements outlined in the Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework the joint UAP for the Regional Centre of Drogheda should endeavour to support and provide for the following: • Provide for the sustainable, compact, sequential growth and urban regeneration in the town core by promoting the regeneration of underused, vacant or derelict town centre lands for residential development to facilitate population growth. • Support the regeneration of the Westgate area of Drogheda’s historic town centre to address vacancy and dereliction in the town core and as an alternative option to new development on greenfield sites. • Facilitate the regeneration of lands at McBride Station to capitalise on existing and planned public transport infrastructure, including the DART Expansion Programme whilst avoiding development that detracts from the town centre. • Provide for redevelopment or renewal of obsolete areas on lands at Mell / North Road. • Support the sustainable development of existing zoned lands in the northern and southern environs of the town with a particular emphasis on the promotion of the IDA Business Park as a location for economic investment and the creation of compact, residential communities in key locations in proximity to established residential areas and transport hubs. • Support the implementation of the Urban Design Framework Plan for the Heritage Quarter. 64 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

5. Page 65

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   REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Drogheda Regional Growth Centre RPO 4.11: A cross boundary statutory Joint Urban Area Plan (UAP) for the Regional Growth Centre of Drogheda shall be jointly prepared by Louth and Meath County Councils in collaboration with EMRA. The UAP will support, the development of Drogheda as an attractive, vibrant and highly accessible Regional Centre and economic driver. The Joint UAP will identify a functional urban area and plan boundary for the plan area and strategic housing and employment development areas and infrastructure investment requirements to promote greater coordination and sequential delivery of serviced lands for development. RPO 4.12: Support the role of Drogheda Docklands and Port in particular by: • Supporting and protecting the role of Drogheda Port as a port of regional significance • Facilitate relocation of Drogheda Port subject to a feasibility study and appropriate coastal zone management. • Supporting the future development of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR). RPO 4.13: Promote and enhance cross-border interactions to realise the growth potential of Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry as an important crossborder network for regional development. RPO 4.14: Promote self-sustaining economic and employment-based development opportunities to match and catch-up on rapid phases of housing delivery in recent years to provide for employment growth and reverse commuting patterns. RPO 4.15: Promote Drogheda as an urban tourism destination while protecting its natural and built heritage resources with a particular focus on capitalising on the following assets: • The town’s role as a gateway to the Boyne Valley heritage sites and World Heritage site at Brú Na Bóinne • Amenity potential of the River Boyne including the Boyne Greenway • Fáilte Ireland’s Ancient East designation. RPO 4.16: Support social inclusion measures including the revitalisation of areas by physical regeneration, planning, investment and community development and measures to improve educational attainment levels, up skilling in key competencies and skills acquisition. RPO 4.17: Support the proposed Drogheda Flood Relief Scheme, subject to the outcome of the planning process and appropriate environmental assessment. RPO 4.18: Enhance Drogheda’s role as a strategic employment centre on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and provide for employment opportunities through identification of suitable sites for new industry including FDI. 65People & Place

6. Page 66

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   Dundalk Dundalk is an established centre of agglomeration strategically located on the Dublin-Belfast rail corridor and M1 Motorway in proximity to both the metropolitan centres of Dublin and Belfast. It is identified as one of the fastest growing towns in the country in the most recent inter-census period. Dundalk has the potential to form part of a sustainable network of urban centres of scale, including Newry, connected by public transport within the Region and within the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. However, the realisation of a sustainable linear sequence of urban centres of scale at Drogheda, Dundalk and Newry will require further promotion and investment in public transport infrastructure. 66 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

7. Page 67

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   Dundalk in particular, due to its proximity to Newry, provides for enhanced cross-border interactions which, if promoted, can help to realise the growth potential of Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry as an important cross-border network for regional development. Key priorities are to promote the continued sustainable and compact growth of Dundalk as a regional driver of city scale with a target population of 50,000 by 2031. The objective is to provide for the regeneration of the town centre and the compact and planned co-ordinated development of the town’s hinterland, along with enhancing Dundalk’s role as a strategic employment centre on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. The dynamic to capitalise on its location, driving the linkage between Dundalk and Newry and strengthening cross border synergy in services and functions is promoted within the Strategy period. The preparation and adoption of a statutory Urban Area Plan (UAP) shall be a priority for Louth County Council, to provide a coordinated planning framework to identify and deliver strategic sites and regeneration areas so that a minimum of 30% compact growth can be achieved. Regeneration: There are underutilized areas in Dundalk where there is opportunity for regeneration and place making. The revitalization and redevelopment of Dundalk town centre will be prioritised including the regeneration of opportunity sites and their surrounding areas. The integrated physical, economic and social regeneration of identified areas will be promoted capitalising on existing facilities. Regeneration provides the opportunity to enhance pedestrian permeability and combat social exclusion in the town. The physical, economic and social regeneration of the Longwalk area, which has secured funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund will be targeted as a significant area to establish a new living and working quarter at the heart of Dundalk town centre. In addition, regeneration opportunities are identified at Carroll’s Village Shopping Centre, Williamson’s Mall and Dunnes Park Street, and within the delivery of the Clanbrassil Street and St. Nicholas’ Quarter Rejuvenation Scheme. These will introduce more employment to the area, they will reinvigorate the town centre, improve accessibility and sustainable mobility and strengthen Dundalk’s importance as a Regional Growth Centre. The regeneration of the Seatown/Port Harbour Area envisaged in the Urban Design Framework (2008) and delivered through the UAP will provide an opportunity to create a water based urban quarter and activity location enhancing tourism potential in Dundalk. Residential Development: Key to the success of Dundalk as a self-sustaining Regional Growth Centre is targeted compact growth through the renewal and regeneration of underused, vacant and/or derelict town centre lands for residential and commercial development facilitated through the UAP. The availability of vacant and derelict serviced sites for residential development within the town centre and other character areas will facilitate place making opportunities. Continued proactive targeting of vacant properties for their acquisition and renewal will reduce vacancy and increase the active housing stock within this Regional Growth Centre. Sustainable urban expansion will be delivered through the development of the Mount Avenue area and other lands, supported by associated enabling infrastructure. 67People & Place

8. Page 68

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   Economic Development: Having regard to the town’s proximity to the border with Northern Ireland and the linkages between Dundalk and Northern Ireland there is a need to ensure resilience to the potential implications of Brexit. Dundalk is strategically located between the Dublin and Belfast Metropolitan areas with access to the deep labour markets in both the Dublin and Belfast city regions. The further development of the linear Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and improved accessibility for setup or relocation of indigenous businesses and FDI to the area will enhance its role as a key regional economic driver. To support economic growth and competitiveness and realise the potential of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, continued crossborder collaboration and co-operation between the relevant departments, agencies and stakeholders will be necessary. Dundalk has a strong and broad economic and employment base with a healthy equilibrium between resident workers and jobs and is an acknowledged established Pharma hub. Commerce and trade are the largest industries, followed by professional services concentrated in IDA Dundalk Business & Technology Park, and Xerox Technology Park. Furthermore, the presence of Dundalk Institute of Technology provides a key driver for an enterprise ecosystem along with the existing sectoral clusters. The RSES supports the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) to continue to develop as a centre for excellence for education in the north east. The retention of indigenous talent can be achieved by providing appropriate and career advancing employment opportunities locally or in sustainable urban centres of scale within the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor accessible by public transport. The regeneration of Dundalk Port/Harbour area can contribute to the town’s economic and tourism development and this is recognised and supported by the RSES. Finally there is a requirement for both a transport strategy and a retail strategy to be prepared as part of the UAP process in order to coordinate landuse and transportation and to provide for sustainable retail development in Dundalk and its hinterland. Enabling Infrastructure: The UAP shall provide for a coordinated planning framework to identify and deliver strategic development and regeneration areas to achieve compact growth targets and to priortise infrastructure investment The goal of achieving compact urban growth will increase the need to improve accessibility and sustainable mobility and provide for the requisite infrastructure to enable Dundalk to develop as a Regional Growth Centre. This will include a transport strategy for Dundalk which prioritises modal shift, process and operational improvements to the Dundalk wastewater treatment plant and the planning and delivery of the Dundalk Flood Relief Scheme. Dundalk is strategically located on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and the existing high capacity road and national rail links play a critical role in supporting economic growth and competitiveness for the region. The RSES supports the improvement and protection of public transport provision including accessibility by rail in order to support sustainable productivity growth while protecting the intraregional capacity of the existing motorway network. The promotion of walking and cycling within and through the Regional Centre is supported by the RSES including the social and economic benefits of the Carlingford to Omeath Greenway forming part of the ‘Great Eastern Greenway’. 68 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

9. Page 69

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   Dundalk Urban Area Plan (UAP) A statutory Urban Area Plan (UAP) shall be prepared by Louth County Council for the Regional Growth Centre of Dundalk in collaboration with the EMRA. The UAP will support the development of Dundalk as an attractive, vibrant and highly accessible Regional Centre and economic driver. The UAP will provide a coordinated planning framework to identify and deliver strategic sites and regeneration areas for the future physical, economic and social development of the town to ensure targeted compact growth of a minimum of 30% is achieved. The UAP shall facilitate the sustainable, compact, sequential growth and urban regeneration in the town core by consolidating the built footprint of Dundalk through regeneration of the town centre Core Character Area with a focus on rejuvenation of Clanbrassil Street / St. Nicholas Quarter and development of key town centre infill / brownfield sites in this area. A significant proportion of future urban development shall be accommodated on infill/ brownfield sites by encouraging development, including renewal and regeneration of underused, vacant or derelict town centre lands for residential development to facilitate population growth. The UAP will identify a functional urban area and plan boundary for the plan area and strategic housing and employment development areas and infrastructure investment requirements to promote greater coordination and sequential delivery of serviced lands for development. The RSES envisages a population target of 50,000 for the entire settlement of Dundalk up to 2031. The preparation and adoption of a statutory Urban Area Plan (UAP) by Louth County Council is to be a priority. The UAP is the appropriate mechanism to determine the functional urban area and plan boundary along with the distribution of population. In tandem with the requirements outlined in the Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework the UAP for the Regional Centre of Dundalk should endeavour to support and provide for the following: • Support development on key town centre infill/ brownfield sites include inter alia Long Walk Shopping Centre, Carroll’s Village Shopping Centre, Williamson’s Mall, and Dunne’s Park Street. • To enhance accessibility and sustainable mobility within the town centre by improving links between the core and surrounding areas through the further integration of public transport, walking and cycling facilities. • Promote the Seatown / Port Harbour Area for regeneration and repurpose of a water based urban quarter • Facilitate urban expansion through development of the Mount Avenue masterplan lands, and other lands. • Support the implementation of the Dundalk Urban Design Framework Plan (2008) or any update thereof. 69People & Place

10. Page 70

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    REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Dundalk Regional Growth Centre RPO 4.19: A statutory Urban Area Plan (UAP) shall be prepared by Louth County Council for the Regional Growth Centre of Dundalk in collaboration with the EMRA. The UAP will support the development of Dundalk as an attractive, vibrant and highly accessible Regional Centre and economic driver. The UAP will identify a functional urban area and plan boundary for the plan area and strategic housing and employment development areas and infrastructure investment requirements to promote greater coordination and sequential delivery of serviced lands for development. RPO 4.20: Promote and enhance cross-border interactions to realise the growth potential of Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry as an important crossborder network for regional development. RPO 4.21: Enhance Dundalk’s role as a strategic employment centre on the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor and provide for employment opportunities through identification of suitable sites for new industry including FDI. RPO 4.22: Support the role of Dundalk Institute of Technology as a centre of excellence for education. RPO 4.23: Enhance potential for economic development and regeneration at Dundalk Port/ Harbour area subject to a feasibility study and appropriate coastal zone management. RPO 4.24: Support social inclusion measures including the revitalisation of areas by physical regeneration, planning, investment and community development and measures to improve educational attainment levels, up skilling in key competencies and skills acquisition. RPO 4.25: Support the proposed Dundalk Flood Relief Scheme, subject to the outcome of appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process. 70 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

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