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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- Economic Development: Naas has a high jobs ratio providing a large employment base for resident workers and attracting inward commuting from a wide catchment of north Kildare and west Wicklow. The regeneration of the town centre along with the opening of Corban’s Lane Shopping Centre positions Naas to provide significant retail and commercial functions. The local employment base will be strengthened through the development of the Mid Eastern Region Innovation Think Space (MERITS) extending and enhancing the technology environment in the region. There is also potential for highquality high-density indigenous and Foreign Direct Investment within the Millennium Park in the Northwest Quadrant and for re-intensification of industrial lands in the north east of the town. Naas is well serviced in terms of healthcare with Naas General Hospital, Vista Primary Care Centre and Enable Ireland Kildare Children’s Services while McAuley Place provides alternative residential and social care for older people in the town. Historic assets include the historic centre, St. David’s Castle, Leinster Mills and Jigginstown Castle. Enabling Infrastructure: Naas is bound by the M7 motorway and has high levels of car dependency, congestion and commuting to Dublin along with a strong interrelationship of services, employment and education between the settlements of Naas, Sallins and Newbridge. Naas has a high level of internal trips, however further investment is needed in public transport and active travel connections within the town linking residential areas and the Northwest Quadrant to Sallins-Naas railway station. The Naas Branch of the Grand Canal runs southwards from Sallins to the canal harbour in the heart of the town and then branching off to Corbally Harbour. There is potential to develop the amenity, recreation and sustainable transport potential of the canal including the development of greenways from Naas to Sallins and Corbally Harbour and linking to the cross regional Grand Canal Greenway. Through targeted investment, the town can achieve a walkable and cycle friendly connected environment underpinned by a sustainable transport network. The delivery of new and enhanced public transport infrastructure in Naas and Sallins including Park and Ride and Interchange facilities will be supported as identified by the NTA and Kildare County Council. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Naas Key Town RPO 4.48: Promote the improvement of the transport network within and serving Naas town, including delivery of a robust and efficient walking, cycling and bus network with strong links to Sallins Railway Station, key destinations within the town and to the North West Quadrant and town centre area. RPO 4.49: Support the development of the Grand Canal for amenity, recreation and sustainable transport purposes including the Naas to Sallins and Naas to Corbally harbour greenways and linking these to the national Grand Canal Greenway. RPO 4.50: Regeneration and consolidation of the historic centre to improve the retail and commercial functions of the town core, with enhanced permeability and sustainable mobility within the town centre and improve links between the core and surrounding residential and employment areas through the further development of walking and cycling routes and improved public transport. RPO 4.51: Strengthen the local employment base including through the development of MERITS, Millennium Park in the North West Quadrant and the regeneration of underutilised lands including industrial lands in the north east of the town. RPO 4.52: Support the delivery of new and enhanced public transport infrastructure in Naas and Sallins, including Park and Ride and interchange facilities as identified by the NTA and Kildare County Council. RPO 4.53: Support an enhanced role and function of Naas as the County town of Kildare, particularly as a hub for high quality employment, residential and amenities. 81People & Place
- Wicklow – Rathnew Wicklow-Rathnew includes both the Ccounty Town of Wicklow and the town of Rathnew, with a combined population of c. 14,000 people in 2016 and is a key settlement within the Core Region. It has a strategically important location on the M/N11 and rail corridor, and at the centre point of the coastal area of the County. Wicklow has an important position as the County Town, providing higher order services and facilities for the residents and its catchment. Rathnew has a distinct identity and functions as a local service centre for its local community. Key priorities are to strengthen the local employment base, improve sustainable transport and promote compact growth with a focus on regeneration, development of the port and harbour area, and to expand Wicklow-Rathnew’s role as a hub for tourism, training and education. Regeneration: Key regeneration opportunities include the development of Wicklow Port and Harbour, served by the port access road, to expand commercial berthing and pleasure craft capacity subject to feasibility and protection of European Sites such as the Murrough, a coastal wetland which is popular with walkers with views of the town and coastline. There are opportunities for the densification and enhancement of residential and retail uses in the two town centres of Wicklow and Rathnew and to improve pedestrian mobility and connectivity. There is also potential for further development of the Wicklow County Campus as a third level education facility for enterprise, education, training, research and development. Residential Development: Wicklow Town – Rathnew enjoys rail and road access to Dublin City and the wider region, and an abundance of recreational amenities close by including the coast, the harbour and the Wicklow Mountains; as a result there is a high demand for housing in this settlement. Redevelopment and opportunity sites within the core areas of Wicklow-Rathnew will be promoted in the first instance for new residential development, with sites close to transport infrastructure, recreational and education amenities and employment being prioritised thereafter. 82 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- Economic Development: Wicklow-Rathnew is a major employment hub, with a strong employment base attracting inflows of workers from around the County. The largest sectors in the settlement are commerce, manufacturing and education/ health/ public administration. There are a number of active business and industrial parks, with potential for expansion, as well as a supply of undeveloped zoned employment land available for growth. Wicklow Town plays a significant role in the provision of administrative services, delivering the functions of local government from Wicklow County Council, the provision of tertiary educational facilities at the Wicklow County Campus at Rathnew (in conjunction with Carlow IT) and higher order health facilities at Knockrobin Primary Health Centre. The settlement aims to capitalise on its existing assets such as the commercial port, a third level college campus at Rathnew-Clermont, as well as its location on the M/N11 corridor. There is potential for the town centre to strengthen and promote economic development associated with retail and commerce, the expansion of port and harbour activities and the nearby Ashford Studios. Wicklow Port is home to commercial businesses and fishing as well as providing an important leisure amenity with tourism potential. Wicklow Port is well positioned to become a hub for the service of the off-shore wind energy sector in particular. Wicklow has a long maritime tradition with leisure events such as the Wicklow Regatta and the Round Ireland Yacht race which starts and ends in Wicklow Port. There is potential to develop Wicklow-Rathnew as a recreation and tourism hub due to its attractive coastal location and its proximity to key destinations such as the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and Brittas Bay and the key attractions within the town including the Wicklow Gaol, the Murrough, coastal walks, beaches, architectural heritage, sports facilities and as a terminus of the planned Greystones – Wicklow Coastal Route. Wicklow is also situated between the protected conservation sites of the Murrough cSAC/SPA and Wicklow Head SPA. While the ecological protection of these sites is a priority, there is potential to expand the range of recreational and tourist facilities associated with its coastal location. Enabling Infrastructure: Wicklow-Rathnew has high levels of car-based commuting to Dublin with issues in relation to public transport capacity, particularly rail, and traffic congestion on the M/N11. Significant investment has occurred with construction of the port access and town relief roads and a new wastewater treatment plan, with planned infrastructure upgrades on the M11 from the M50 to Kilmacanogue. While there are good pedestrian and cycling facilities on new roads, there is potential for further investment in walking and cycling within the town and to enhance connections to surrounding urban centres and regional trails. There is potential to improve sustainable mobility through the enhancement of bus and rail services. Public transport improvements would improve the accessibility of Wicklow-Rathnew to Dublin and the wider area, and would likely contribute to population and economic growth. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Wicklow-Rathnew Key Town RPO 4.54: Support an enhanced role and function of Wicklow-Rathnew as the County Town, particularly as a hub for employment, training and education. RPO 4.55: Support Wicklow-Rathnew’s role in the provision of third level education at the Wicklow County Campus Rathnew (in association with Institute of Technology Carlow) and in particular, to support the development of the campus as a hub for the Film Industry and Screen Content Creation Sector. RPO 4.56: Support enhancement and expansion of Wicklow Port and Harbour, to expand commercial berthing and pleasure craft capacity subject to a feasibility study with particular focus on avoiding adverse impacts on the integrity of adjacent European Sites. RPO 4.57: Support the development of Wicklow- Rathnew as a tourism hub having regard to its accessibility to key tourist destinations in the Region. RPO: 4.58: To support ongoing investment in rail infrastructure to ensure its continued renewal, maintenance and improvement to a high level to ensure high quality of frequency, safety, service, accessibility and connectivity. 83People & Place
- Longford The County Town of Longford, is strategically located on the N4/M4 motorway and the Dublin to Sligo rail line, acting as a portal to the Northern and Western Region and providing a supporting role to the Regional Growth Centre of Athlone. Longford acts as a key employment centre with strong retail, administrative and service functions that serve a wide catchment. The town has a young, diverse and growing population of 10,000 people and a growth rate of 13% in the ten years to 2016. Key priorities are to promote compact growth, the regeneration of the town centre and to expand Longford’s role as a hub for enterprise, employment and tourism. GATEWAY REGION KEY TOWNS Longford Town, Mullingar, Tullamore, Portlaoise and Graiguecullen (Carlow), are large economically active towns located within the Gateway Region. These towns provide important connections with adjoining regions and have the capacity and future growth potential to accommodate above average growth in tandem with the requisite investment in employment creation, services, amenities and sustainable transport. 84 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- Regeneration: Longford Town has a number of strategic areas that can act as regenerative catalysts increasing the residential, economic and leisure potential of the town centre, whilst also addressing vacancy, derelict buildings and enhancing the vibrancy of the town. Key areas include the Camlin Quarter and Ballyminion Areas with further strategic sites throughout, including possibilities within the southern quarter of the town. The Longford Flood Relief Scheme will address flood considerations and support appropriate use of riverside locations. There are opportunities for improved links between both ends of the town and enhanced rejuvenation of, and connections between, the Royal Canal Greenway and the former location of the canal harbour around the Market Square. Residential Development: The delivery of housing in Longford Town is essential to support the overall role and success of the settlement. A key focus for the settlement is to encourage the provision of high quality housing development at the right locations over the coming years in order to ensure wider societal benefits and the sustainability and enhancement of facilities such as schools, shops, recreation facilities and open spaces. Central to this is the requirement to provide high quality housing products that meet a variety of housing needs, including those required by employees of existing and potential industry and enterprises within the town. Economic Development: The town has a particularly high ratio of jobs to resident workers with significant in-commuting and employment in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, pharma and agrifood. The planned development of a creative and innovation hub and co-working space on the Main Street offers a further opportunity to drive enterprise development and entrepreneurship in the town. There is also potential to build on significant investment in the nearby flagship Centre Parcs holiday village and the investment by the local authority in tourism and recreational infrastructure. The Upper Shannon Erne Future Economic Project, which is a collaboration between the Cavan, Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon local authorities with ESB and Bord na Móna, provides the opportunity to deliver cross regional economic projects. Services and Amenities: Longford has a rich cultural heritage with potential to develop as a recreation and tourism hub, building on its proximity to attractions such as Centre Parcs, the Royal Canal, The Dublin-Westport Greenway and Mid Shannon Wilderness Park and key assets within the town such as St Mel’s Cathedral, the River Camlin, a theatre and walking routes such as the Rebel Trail and Literary Trail. Social inclusion will be key to supporting greater participation in local community and economic development and to addressing higher levels of unemployment and relative deprivation in the town. Enabling infrastructure: Longford is strategically located on the N4/M4 from Dublin to Sligo, with national roads including the N55 to Athlone, N5 to Castlebar and N63 to Roscommon. Planned infrastructure upgrades include the N4 from Mullingar to Carrick-on- Shannon and there is further potential to provide for enhanced rail service on the Sligo rail line and improve connections to Athlone. Potential exists to stimulate economic development through the provision of broadband and natural gas within the town. Delivering on Longford’s walking and cycling strategy will improve sustainable travel and provide links to national and cross regional walking and cycling trails. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Longford Key Town RPO 4.59: 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. RPO 4.60: Support the development of Longford as a tourism hub having regard to its accessibility to key tourist destinations in the Region including Center Parcs, and proximity to natural amenities, recreational opportunities and the town’s location on the Rebel Longford Trail. RPO 4.61: 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 4.62: Support the plan-led development and regeneration of publicly owned land banks in the town for residential, employment, education, community, cultural and recreational opportunities and the consolidation of the town centre and the enhancement and linking of brownfield and outlying sites to the town centre, with a focus on the regeneration of underused buildings and strategic sites. RPO 4.63: Support Longford Town as a strategic portal to the northwest and south in recognition of its location at the junction of the N55; M4/N4 Dublin/Sligo and N5; due to its proximity to the regional growth centre of Athlone; and support its role as a strategic employment centre. 85People & Place
- Mullingar The town of Mullingar, with a population of 20,928 in 2016 is located on the Dublin to Sligo rail line and M4 motorway, provides an essential role in supporting population and job growth and in this regard acts as a crucial centre for the surrounding hinterland. The advancement of Mullingar includes the promotion of economic development and employment creation; support for the development of the town’s assets in built and natural heritage; encourages the continued investment in arts, culture and outdoor recreational activities including walking, cycling, fishing, boating, eventing and sports; and provides for the continued development of the tourist economy. Regeneration: The consolidation and regeneration of Mullingar is a key priority to support the overall role and function of the town. Strategic sites that provide opportunity include Columb Barracks and St. Loman’s as major opportunity sites and the town centre sites of Blackhall, Grove Street, the Harbour Street Car Park and the Dunnes Stores Car Park. The promotion of town centre enhancements and public realm improvements will contribute to the sustainability of the town centre and improve opportunities for sustainable transport choices. Residential Development: The provision of housing plays a fundamental role in the overall economic, social and environmental success of the settlement. It is essential to ensure an effective supply of land for the provision of housing and that high quality development is secured in the right place at the right time. A range of well-designed housing types that meet the needs of a variety of households will help to sustain and enhance the settlement, contributing to the creation of a high quality place. 86 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- Economic Development: Mullingar operates as a strong economic driver covering a relatively wide catchment, with opportunity to capitalise upon and augment the high ratio of jobs to resident workers. The economic role of Mullingar can be supported through mechanisms such as realising the potential of the existing IDA presence and property, advance development of high quality enterprise and employment zones including existing business parks; and support and promotion within sectors such as engineering and ICT, consumer products, financial services, shared services (multi-lingual), R&D, robotics and advanced manufacturing. Recognition of the settlement’s potential for tourism and eventing is also supported. Services and Amenities: Mullingar has a rich built heritage in keeping with its historic commercial importance as a market town. It has significant protected structures and six architectural conservation areas. Mulingar also has significant amenity resources. The Royal Canal is a significant amenity and resource for the town as are Lough Ennell and Lough Owel. The Royal Canal Greenway from Spencer Dock through Maynooth and on to Mullingar has the potential to support recreational tourism and may provide a link into the Dublin to Galway Eurovelo route. The Old Rail Trail between Athlone and Mullingar is a considerable greenway asset. The greenway from Mullingar to Lough Owel is nearing completion and it is intended to extend this to Lough Ennell. Other visitor attractions in proximity to Mullingar that can be built upon include Belvedere House and Gardens. Enabling infrastructure: Mullingar is strategically located on the N4/M4 from Dublin to Sligo, with a national road the N55 to Athlone in proximity. Planned infrastructure upgrades include the N4 from Mullingar to Longford and there is further potential to provide for an enhanced rail service on the Sligo rail line. The RSES supports the preparation of a Local Transport Plan for Mullingar. Significant Government spending in recent years has seen the Mullingar Main Drainage Scheme upgraded at a cost of €39m. Water supply to the town is currently sourced from Lough Owel, but in the long-term will be provided by the South Westmeath Scheme which will provide an interconnector between Athlone and Mullingar or through connection to a feeder from the Dublin Water Supply Scheme. The RSES promotes maximising return on existing and planned infrastructural investments in keeping with Mullingar’s role as a Key Town and County Town for Westmeath. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Mullingar Key Town RPO 4.64: Support Mullingar’s role as a tourism hub having regard to its accessibility to key tourist destinations in the Region including proximity to natural amenities and recreational opportunities including the Galway to Dublin Greenway. RPO 4.65: Promote the plan led development and regeneration of publicly owned land banks in the town for employment, education, community, cultural and recreational opportunities and to support the economic development and regeneration of the town centre. RPO 4.66: Support the development and expansion of the Midlands Regional Hospital including any necessary supporting infrastructure. RPO 4.67: Support Mullingar’s role as an important employment hub by promoting economic development and clustering of related enterprises. 87People & Place
- Tullamore Tullamore acts as a key population and employment centre for the surrounding hinterland. It is located on the Dublin to Galway rail line, in close proximity to the M6 Dublin/Galway Motorway with the N80 and N52 providing important and essential intra-regional linkages to motorways, the Regional Growth Centre of Athlone and key towns of Portlaoise, Mullingar and Longford. Flanked by the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the south and Lough Boora Discovery Park to the west, which is to be connected by a greenway along the Grand Canal by 2020, the town offers significant quality of life advantages. The town has a high ratio of jobs to resident workers, reflecting its role as an employment centre and the extent of its area of influence. Continued employment and population growth coupled with placemaking and regeneration are key priorities for the settlement. Regeneration: Tullamore has a number of opportunity sites supporting regeneration and redevelopment, focusing on compact growth, place making and transition to a low carbon society/ economy. Key sites include the Grand Canal Harbour, the former ‘Texas’ site, Tanyard and former ‘Carrolls’ site, former ‘Coens’ site and the railway node. The redevelopment of the Grand Canal Harbour has potential for enterprise, recreation, residential, public realm and tourism related development. Residential Development: Relevant to the delivery of housing in Tullamore is support for a range of housing types which are well designed with consideration to tenures and density, integrated green infrastructure, active travel links and renewable energy options. The provision of housing at the right locations will play a fundamental role in the overall economic, social and environmental success of the settlement. 88 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- Economic Development: The further development of the med-tech cluster centred on the IDA business park in Srah provides opportunity to drive development within the town. Opportunity also exists for the town, and indeed County, in light of the existing industry based on energy supply to provide a centre of excellence related to energy retrofitting. Economic development in particular that compensates for the loss of employment in the peat production business, with particular reference to the rural communities which were founded and supported by this industry since the 1930s, will be supported. Tullamore Regional Hospital also provides the potential for linkages to existing and new med-tech businesses and research. Desirable economic investment for Tullamore would be in the form of green jobs and green technologies, innovation, digital technologies, circular bioeconomy, food & beverage (in particular its distilling heritage), advanced manufacturing, tourism, recreation & amenity and high quality town centre retail development. A continued emphasis on placemaking is required in order to attract inward investment and expansion of existing businesses. Services and Amenities: Tullamore has a rich cultural heritage with potential to develop as a recreation and tourism hub, building on its proximity to attractions such as the Grand Canal Greenways, Blueways and Lough Boora Discovery Park, Charleville Castle Demesne, Durrow High Cross, peatways, the planned Midlands Cycle Destination – Offaly and the Slieve Bloom Mountains, including the national mountain bike trail (MTB) centre. The shared vision document, Spirit Level - Lough Ree and the Mid-Shannon and the Shannon Masterplan represents an indication of the potential for green and blue tourism in the wider area. The presence of the Tullamore Dew visitor centre, particularly in the context of the potential linkages to the development of ‘Whiskey Trails’ throughout the Region and beyond, represents a further area for development. Enabling infrastructure: The enhancement of Tullamore’s accessibility as a key node between the M4/6 and M7 motorways is important. The improvement of capacity and journey times on the N80, N52/N62 National secondary routes and the R420 to the M7 and the R402 to the M4 will enable greater intra-regional connectivity and improve the cohesiveness of the Midland area. Furthermore, the R420 Tullamore to Monasterevin and R402 Edenderry to Enfield roads perform functions akin to National Secondary Routes, supporting Tullamore’s linkages to other Key Towns and the Regional Growth Centre of Athlone and these should be considered for upgraded status in the future. An upgrade to the wastewater network is required to enable the future development of the town. Irish Water have completed a Drainage Area Plan of the town, which will be used to inform proposals into the future. Improved walking and cycling permeability together with the provisions of green and blue infrastructure, through enhancing linkages and connectivity, will enable the further development of tourism opportunities, particularly for the Shannon Area, thus augmenting economic opportunity. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Tullamore Key Town RPO 4.68: Support Tullamore’s role as a tourism hub and development as a Tourism Destination Town having particular regard to its distilling heritage and industry and accessibility to key tourist destinations, natural amenities and recreational opportunities including the Grand Canal Greenways, Lough Boora Discovery Park, Slieve Bloom Mountains and peatlands. This is coupled with support for Tullamore as a service hub for the ‘Midlands Cycle destination – Offaly’ and the recognition of the settlement’s potential as a conferencing and event hub, given the town’s central location, accessibility and experience of event provision. RPO 4.69: Support the role of Tullamore as a major employment centre with key assets being its existing positive jobs to resident employee ratio, excellent quality of life and future strategic development sites, with support for the provision of enabling and facilitative infrastructural development to complement this role. RPO 4.70: To examine the need for complementary third level outreach educational facilities at Tullamore, particularly with regard to support for Tullamore Regional Hospital and where appropriate, its continued development as a Teaching/University Hospital, together with potential for linkages to existing and new med-tech businesses and research facilities. 89People & Place
- Portlaoise Portlaoise is a strategically located settlement that provides important inter-regional links to the south and south-west, maximising its situation on the Dublin to Cork/ Limerick rail line and M7/M8 Motorway. Likewise, the N80 provides an essential link accessing Carlow, Waterford and Rosslare to the southeast and Tullamore, Mullingar and Athlone to the northwest. Job creation and the facilitation of economic development are central priorities for the settlement over the coming years, in order to support the significant population growth levels experienced and recognition that the settlement was one of the fastest growing towns between 1996 and 2016. In tandem with this, the sustainability, vitality and vibrancy of the settlement can be enriched through a major focus on the regeneration of the town centre, balancing and consolidating housing and retail development located adjoining the town core. The NPF has identified the need for a self-sustaining and community driven renewal and regeneration project for the town as a demonstration project to be part funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. Regeneration: The regeneration of the town comprises a number of opportunity sites including James Fintan Lalor Avenue, Lyster Square and laneways connection with the Main Street, Fort Protector and Fitzmaurice Place, Schools site and the former Bank of Ireland Branch/Prison Officer’s Club. “2040 and Beyond – A Vision for Portlaoise, A strategy for a Better Town Centre” completed in 2017 sets out principles and a programme of regeneration of the town. The Portlaoise Regeneration Demonstration Project aims to focus on regenerating the original town centre with a view to the creation of a place that people want to live and spend time in. It is anticipated that this will be a demonstrator project to show how the best quality planning, urban design and implementation can create rejuvenated towns, tied with opportunity to become a ‘Low Carbon Town Centre’ through reducing the impacts of the car on the public realm and improving the mix of uses within the town centre. 90 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
Source Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019–2031 (June 2019) · 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.