Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019–2031

1. Page 71

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   4.6 Key Towns Key Towns are large towns which are economically active towns that provide employment for their surrounding areas. They have high-quality transport links and the capacity to act as regional drivers to complement the Regional Growth Centres. Key Towns, given their historic significance and performance as settlements within a regional context, have potential to accommodate commensurate levels of population and employment growth, facilitated by their location on high quality public transport corridors and aligned with requisite investment in services, amenities and sustainable transport. Development plans should provide for the sustainable, compact, sequential growth and urban regeneration in the town core of Key Towns by consolidating the built footprint through a focus on regeneration and development of identified key town centre infill / brownfield sites. A significant proportion of future urban development should 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 Key Towns for the Region are; • Swords, Maynooth and Bray in the Metropolitan Area • Navan, Naas and Wicklow-Rathnew in the Core Region • Longford, Mullingar, Tullamore, Portlaoise and Graiguecullen (Carlow) in the Gateway Region. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Key Towns RPO 4.26: Core strategies in local authority development plans shall support objectives to achieve a minimum of 30% of housing in Key Towns by way of compact growth through the identification of key sites for regeneration. RPO 4.27: Key Towns shall act as economic drivers and provide for strategic employment locations to improve their economic base by increasing the ratio of jobs to workers. 71People & Place

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   Swords Due to its strategic location in proximity to Dublin City, the airport, national road network and with the planned Metrolink, Swords acts as a Key Town for the metropolitan area. Swords is the County Town in Fingal, and is a major town with a young and growing population of over 39,000 people in 2016, and which provides a strong economic and service function for its catchment. Key priorities are to promote compact growth and enhanced public realm in the town centre along with the planned sequential development of Swords. Swords is located in the Dublin Metropolitan Area and is included in the MASP (see Chapter 5 MASP) and is located on the Metrolink Corridor. METROPOLITAN KEY TOWNS Metropolitan Key Towns are large economically active service towns located within the Dublin Metropolitan Area, with high quality transport links and capacity for increased residential and employment densities at strategic transport nodes. These should be read in conjunction with the MASP, Chapter 5. The Key Metropolitan Towns of Swords, Maynooth and Bray are important in a regional and in a county context and they have the capacity and future growth potential to accommodate above average growth in the Region with the requisite investment in employment creation, services, amenities and sustainable transport. The details and prioritisation of this delivery is set out in the MASP, Chapter 5. 72 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

3. Page 73

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   Regeneration: The Sustainable Swords Project will consolidate and strengthen Swords historic town centre. The identity of the town centre will be enhanced through the development of Swords Civic Centre and Cultural Centre, the delivery of the conservation plan for Swords Castle, and the delivery of an enhanced public realm in the town centre, in accordance with a new healthy placemaking strategy. Additionally, core recreational and amenity spaces will be promoted, in particular Ward River Valley Park, Swords Cultural Quarter including Town Park, and Ward River Walk, west of Main Street. Residential Development: Key to the success of Swords will be the strengthening of the role of Main Street, with a focus on compact growth and targeting infill development. Residential development, in the shorter term, is mainly directed to the western and southern areas of the town, with longer term development of Lissenhall. This strategic landbank offers the opportunity for the development of a well-connected mixed-use urban district on the northern side of Swords within 1 km of the Metrolink corridor. The development of the area follows the sequential development of Swords and is in keeping with the Council’s long-term strategic vision for the town. Economic Development: The strategic regeneration of Swords offers an opportunity to build on the existing resilience of the local economy. There are opportunities to create a strategic employment node maximising opportunity presented by Sword’s strategic location well served by air, Metrolink and the national road network. Furthermore, Swords-Dublin Airport has developed as a key location for industry and employment generating activities. Ensuring high skilled employment opportunities for residents of Swords is a key objective. Airport related activities will continue to be of major importance, along with the protection and enhancement of access to Dublin Airport as a global gateway to the Region and the State. Enabling Infratructure: The delivery of Metrolink in co-ordination with other public transport proposals, including the Bus Rapid Transport/ Busconnects and Park and Ride programmes and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, is crucial for the future sustainable development of Swords. There is significant potential to transition towards sustainable and low carbon transport modes through the provision of high-quality walking and cycling permeability offering direct routes to local destinations and public transportation hubs. Improvements to the road and cycle network are required to capitalise on this, together with the delivery of new road infrastructure. Swords was identified in the Fingal Spatial Energy Demand Analysis as having heat densities high enough to be feasible for connection to district heating systems. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Swords Key Town RPO 4.28: Support the continued development of Swords as a vibrant Key Town with a thriving economy; an integrated public transport network; an attractive and highly accessible built environment with the highest standards of housing, employment, services, recreational amenities and community facilities. RPO 4.29: Support the regeneration of underused town centre lands along with the planned and sequential infill opportunities to provide for high density and people intensive uses in accessible locations that are accessible to high quality transport, existing and planned, and to support the preparation of a local area plan for the strategic landbank at Lissenhall for the longer-term development of Swords. RPO 4.30: Facilitate the strategic regeneration of Swords to build on the resilience of the local economy and provide for an enhanced urban environment with a particular focus on the development of Swords Civic Centre and Cultural Centre, the delivery of the conservation plan for Swords Castle, and the delivery of an enhanced public realm in the town centre and to promote recreational and amenity uses in accordance with a healthy placemaking strategy. RPO 4.31: Support Swords-Dublin Airport as a key location for airport related economic development and employment provision linked to the protection and enhancement of access to Dublin Airport lands including the delivery of Metrolink. RPO 4.32: Encourage transition towards sustainable and low carbon transport modes in Swords through the provision of high quality walking and cycling permeability offering direct routes to local destination and public transportation hubs. 73People & Place

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   Maynooth Maynooth, with a population of 14,600 people in 2016, is a large active town in north-east Kildare, and which is strategically located on the Dublin to Sligo railway line, M4 motorway and the Royal Canal. Maynooth provides a significant level of employment at Maynooth University, the M4 Business Park and local business in the town centre. A number of higher order services are located in the town including education, health, cultural, leisure and recreational facilities. The town has experienced significant population growth and has a young demographic with many university students living in and travelling to the town. St. Patrick’s College, the Royal Canal, Maynooth Castle and the nearby demesne landscape of Carton House are key assets and attractions. To enhance co-ordination of development in Maynooth, including its environs in County Meath, the preparation and adoption of a Joint Local Area Plan (LAP) should be carried out by Kildare and Meath County Councils. Maynooth is located in the Dublin Metropolitan Area on the North-West Corridor and is included in the MASP (see Chapter 5 MASP). Regeneration: Opportunities exist for the expansion of the town centre by utilising backlands in the Harbour area and at Carton Park, to maximise synergies with the existing core retail area. The Canal Harbour regeneration lands comprise of a number of brownfield sites, some vacant buildings/sites and a substantial public park with playing pitches and a playground. The town has relatively high rates of sustainable transport, with potential to capitalise on existing tourism assets with connections to the Royal Canal and its designation as Euro Velo Route 2, a Pan-European walking and cycling route. Alleviating traffic congestion will further enhance the attractiveness of Maynooth, which has potential to act as a major shopping destination for the surrounding area. 74 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

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   Residential Development: Maynooth has seen significant population growth along the Moyglare, Dunboyne and Dublin Roads with further land designated for residential development to the south east of the town at Greenfield and at Railpark. The Railpark lands are subject to a new relief road and bridge over the railway line together with the provision of linkages to the Royal Canal towpath and town centre. There is further potential for the consolidation of the built form of Maynooth to the northwest and southwest of the town to provide for significant residential development. Economic Development: While the number of people at work within the town is relatively high, a significant number of residents commute to Dublin. There are significant opportunities to further develop knowledge-based employment focusing on ICT and manufacturing through the development of a research and technology campus to the west of the existing university campus. The further development of Maynooth University as a leading third level research and educational facility is critical for the economic development of the town and the region with potential synergies to large established employers such as Intel and Hewlett Packard. Lands at Moygaddy within the Maynooth Environs of County Meath have also been identified for Science and Technology based employment. Enabling infrastructure: Planned infrastructure upgrades include the M4 from Maynooth to Leixlip and for a bridge and relief road to the south east of the town. The DART Expansion project and proposed electrification of the rail line to Maynooth represents a significant opportunity for sequential growth in Maynooth. A new sewer connection for the Railpark lands, in association with the relief road will also unlock significant development potential, along with the development of an Outer Orbital Route connecting the east of the town and lands within the Maynooth Environs of Meath and to the west of the town with the provision of new roads connecting the Moyglare Road to the Kilcock Road. The provision of additional road capacity around the town offers an opportunity for improved public transport walking and cycling networks, through relocation of road space within the town. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Maynooth Key Town RPO 4.33: Support the continued development of Maynooth, co-ordinated with the delivery of strategic infrastructure including pedestrian and cycle linkages within the town and to the Royal Canal Greenway, DART expansion and road linkages forming part of the Maynooth Outer Orbital Route in a manner which supports future development and population growth and builds on synergies with Maynooth University promoting a knowledge-based economy. RPO 4.34: Support Maynooth as a key town to act as an economic driver for north Kildare and provide for strategic employment at key locations to improve the economic base of the town and provide for an increased number of local jobs. RPO 4.35: A cross boundary Joint Local Area Plan (LAP) shall be prepared by Kildare County Council and Meath County Council to provide a co-ordinated planning framework for the Maynooth area. The Joint LAP shall identify a boundary for the plan area, strategic housing and employment development areas and infrastructure investment requirements and promote greater co-ordination and sequential delivery of serviced lands for development. RPO 4.36: To promote the consolidation of the town centre with a focus on the regeneration of underused buildings and strategic sites and the establishment of residential uses to encourage greater vibrancy outside of business hours and the enhancement of the public realm. 75People & Place

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   Bray Bray is the largest town in County Wicklow, with a population of 32,600 in 2016, and strategically located at the eastern gateway to the County, with access to the N/M11 corridor (including M50), DART/rail line and quality bus service. It is a strong active town that provides higher order services, including tertiary education, health, cultural and leisure facilities and is a major retail and shopping destination, attracting people from the surrounding towns and villages. While many residents commute to Dublin, there is potential to provide for significant local employment growth for both its residents and its extensive surrounding catchment. Bray is a visitor and tourism destination benefitting from its natural setting on the coast with the backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains. Bray is located in the Dublin Metropolitan Area and is included in the MASP (see Chapter 5 MASP) and is located as a key node on the North-South (DART) corridor. 76 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

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   Regeneration: There is significant potential for new development in the established town centre and built up area, particularly since the completion of the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme. The former Bray Golf course and Harbour Lands are designated for high density new mixed-use development with improved town centre functions, which will be significantly enhanced through the construction of the Florentine Centre on the Main Street along with the development of the seafront. Bray is well located for tourist access to the Wicklow mountains and with attractions such as Bray Seafront, the Bray-Greystones Cliff Walk, Bray Head, Bray Sea Life centre and Kilruddery House. Residential Development: Population growth in Bray has been modest compared to other settlements as expansion of the town is constrained by the coast to the east, Bray Head/Sugarloaf mountains to the south and the N/M11 to the east. In order for Bray to fulfill its growth potential, lands at Fassaroe to the west of the N/ M11 are targeted for new housing, employment and major community and sports facilities, along with development of lands at Old Connaught (Conna)-Fassaroe, which are within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. The delivery of new mixed-use development of Bray Golf course and Harbour Lands will provide for consolidation within the established town. Economic Development: Bray has a highly concentrated and diversified employment base and provides employment for its residents and surrounding towns as far as Wicklow, Arklow and Gorey. Due to Ardmore Studios, the town has been at the centre of the Irish Film Industry for 60 years. The town aims to attract major employment generating investment in the retail, services and industrial sectors with a particular focus on promoting Bray as a destination for high value investment in people-based industries, at accessible locations to public transport. There is also scope for employment growth at Fassaroe to improve the local employment base in Bray. Enabling infrastructure: Bray has access to high quality public transport including DART services and is at the terminus of the proposed Luas Green Line extension, with excellent potential to promote sustainable mobility and achieve the vision of ‘walkable’ communities. The development of a new centre at Fassaroe is largely dependent on the delivery of transportation infrastructure including upgrades to the N/M11 and the delivery of highquality public transport connections to Bray. The development of Bray-Fassaroe should be undertaken in collaboration between Wicklow County Council, Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council and the transport agencies to ensure the delivery of roads and public transportation infrastructure to support the westward expansion of the town. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Bray Key Town RPO 4.37: Support the continued development of Bray including the enhancement of town centre functions, development of major schemes at the former Bray golf course and Bray harbour, along with increased employment opportunities and co-ordination between Wicklow County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and the transport agencies to facilitate the delivery of key infrastructure required for the westward extension of the town, including Bray-Fassaroe public transport links and road improvements. RPO 4.38: Support the development of Bray as a strategic employment location with a particular focus on attracting high value investment in ‘people’ based industries at accessible locations, in order to increase the number of local jobs. RPO 4.39: To promote the consolidation of the town centre with a focus on placemaking and the regeneration of strategic sites to provide for enhanced town centre functions and public realm, in order to increase Bray’s attractiveness as a place to live, work, visit and invest in. RPO 4.40: To support ongoing investment in public transport infrastructure, including the appraisal, planning and design of the LUAS extension to Bray. The development of Bray-Fassaroe should be undertaken in collaboration between Wicklow County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the transport agencies to ensure the delivery of enabling transportation infrastructure and services. RPO 4.41: Encourage transition towards sustainable and low carbon transport modes through the promotion of alternative modes of transport and ‘walkable communities’ whereby a range of facilities and services will be accessible within short walking or cycling distance. 77People & Place

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   Navan Navan is a key town located in the Core Region, functioning as a dynamic urban centre and the focal point for the economic, cultural and social development of County Meath. It is one of the Country’s fastest growing towns, with a young and diverse population of over 30,000 people in 2016. Navan is located on the M3 corridor and is well served by a local and regional public transport bus service including a frequent express service to Dublin. As the County Town, Navan acts as a key employment centre with potential to further strengthen the retail, employment and service functions of the town through the consolidation and expansion of the town centre along with new strategic development areas, and to improve connectivity, sustainable transport and public realm. Regeneration: In addition to economic growth, there is also a need to create a modern and attractive urban environment in Navan. This will be delivered through the implementation of the Public Realm Strategy ‘Navan 2030’ and the Active Land Management Strategy for the town. The funding recently allocated to Navan through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund will assist in the rejuvenation of the urban core and built fabric of the town including the Flowerhill and Railway Street Regeneration Projects. Key parts of the town that have suffered from underinvestment and have high levels of vacancy will be targeted for renewal and regeneration. This will make town centre living a more attractive option, will improve vibrancy in the urban core, and will assist in the creation of a more compact settlement. CORE REGION KEY TOWNS The Key Towns of Navan, Naas and Wicklow-Rathnew are located within the Core Region and are important within a regional and county context. These towns have capacity and future growth potential to accommodate above average growth coupled with the requisite investment in employment creation, services, amenities and sustainable transport. 78 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

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   Residential Development: Navan has a compact and walkable town centre surrounded by residential areas. The consolidation of residential development proximate to social and community infrastructure will be promoted. The sustainable development of vacant residential and regeneration sites in the town centre in conjunction with the implementation of the public realm and movement plan ‘Navan 2030’ will assist in reinvigorating the urban core of the town and making it a location of choice to live and do business. Navan has a number of strategic sites including the former County Council Offices at Railway Street, which are located in a key position between the cultural quarter, the town centre to the north, which has potential for mixed use development, and the town expansion area to the south, which has also been identified as the preferred location for a future train station. Other strategic lands include a residential Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Clonmagadden and a development opportunity at Farganstown. The LIHAF funded link road at Farganstown will facilitate the creation of a ‘live-work’ community at this location. Economic Development: Navan is the primary centre of employment in the County with a range of retail and services including two retail parks, an acute hospital, health centres, court service and a number of primary and post primary schools. Whilst the industrial and business parks in the town are performing well, outbound commuting for employment remains an issue. Navan is promoted as a strategic centre for employment in the County to address this issue and improve the ratio of jobs to resident workers. There are a number of industrial estates, including an IDA Business and Technology Park providing employment in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, medical devices, services and communication. In addition, the Boyne Valley Food Hub, with approved state funding, aims to develop an innovation-rich enterprise support system in Navan to intensify growth of food and drink entrepreneurs. The continued success of Navan Enterprise Centre illustrates the growing demand for workspaces by entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses. The planned consolidation and expansion of existing business parks along with the town centre offers an opportunity to broaden the employment base while the delivery of a distributor road at Farganstown has potential to attract new investment in high quality intensive employment uses. Strategic lands are also reserved for the future development of a Regional Hospital for the north east of the country. The future re-development of Páirc Táilteann will be an important economic, sporting and cultural asset for the County and the Region and is significant in the context of Navan 2030 and the vision of an enhanced town centre. Enabling infrastructure: Navan is strategically located on the M3 to Dublin with national road connections to Drogheda and Mullingar. Planned infrastructure upgrades include the delivery of the LIHAF funded distributor road at Farganstown, a link road between the Dublin and Trim Roads and a new road and Blackwater bridge linking the SDZ lands at Clonmagadden, along with a new bridge over the Boyne and the southwestern section of the Navan outer orbital subject to feasibility. There is potential to improve public transport as part of the delivery of Phase 2 of Navan Rail project, subject to feasibility and for further investment in walking and cycling both in the town and regionally. The provision of additional road capacity around the town offers an opportunity for improved public transport, walking and cycling networks, through relocation of road space within the town. The confluence of the Rivers Boyne and Blackwater in the town offer potential to improve amenity and recreational use including the further development of the Boyne and Navan Greenways. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Navan Key Town RPO 4.42: Support the delivery of road infrastructure to release strategic residential and employment lands for sustainable development and to improve connectivity and the efficient movement of people and services in the town. RPO 4.43: Support the implementation of the Public Realm Plan ‘Navan 2030’ to make the town a more attractive place to live, shop, visit, and do business. RPO 4.44: Support development of a regional hospital to serve the north east of the country. RPO 4.45: Support the extension of the Boyne Greenway to include Navan to promote sustainable transport choices and as a recreation asset for the town, subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments. RPO 4.46: Key Towns shall act as economic drivers and provide for strategic employment locations to improve their economic base by increasing the ratio of jobs to workers. RPO 4.47 : Support the development of strategic employment lands on the Trim Rd in Navan, subject to the outcome of appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process. 79People & Place

10. Page 80

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    Naas Naas is a Key Town located in the Core Region, well served by the M7 motorway with good road connections to the rest of the Country and a commuter rail service to Dublin. Naas has a population of 21,597 people in 2016 with a highly skilled workforce and plays a key role as a County Town in providing employment and services for a wide catchment. There are strong links between Naas and the nearby settlements of Sallins and Newbridge, with a strong interrelationship of services, employment and education between Naas and Newbridge. There is potential to capitalise on the significant infrastructure investment which has taken place in Naas, to further strengthen the local employment base, promote regeneration and consolidation of the town centre and surrounding residential and employment areas, with improved permeability and sustainable transport links and to build on assets including the historic centre, Naas Racecourse and Grand Canal. Regeneration: A key priority for Naas is the regeneration of the historic town centre with enhancement of retail and commercial functions and consolidation of strategic development areas including the Castle Quarter, Devoy Quarter, Corban’s Lane and the Canal Quarter, along with the further development of Millennium Park in the Northwest Quadrant and regeneration of industrial lands in the north east of the town. The regeneration by the adaptive re-use of existing buildings, the sensitive infill of vacant sites and the creation of new urban form will be promoted as part of the core regeneration areas. There is also a need to improve pedestrian permeability and connectivity within the town centre and linking to surrounding residential and employment areas with peripheral development at Monread in particular, to Sallins-Naas Railway Station. Residential Development: There is a need to redress past legacies of rapid housing growth to ensure the delivery of further appropriately and easily accessible social, education, recreation, sports and amenity spaces to ensure that facilities grow to meet the needs of the increasing population and keep pace with development. The sustainable growth of Naas should be carefully managed to promote the concept of a compact town by encouraging appropriate densities in suitable locations and by resisting sporadic isolated developments which do not integrate with the surrounding urban fabric. Promoting placemaking and more mixed tenure and the delivery of lifetime adaptable homes that can accommodate the changing needs of a household over time should be encouraged thereby helping to create integrated communities. 80 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

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