Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032

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   REGIONAL SPATIAL AND ECONOMIC STRATEGY 2020-2032

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   REGIONAL SPATIAL AND ECONOMIC STRATEGY 2020-2032Contents Cathaoirleach’s Message vi Director’s View vii 1 Context 1 1.1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 1.2 Policy Context. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 1.3 NPF: RSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 1.4 Enterprise 2025 Renewed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 1.5 Environmental Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 1.6 Regional Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2 Strategic Vision 23 2.1 Making Good Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 2.2 Growth Ambitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 3 People and Places 33 3.1 Our Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 3.2 The Region in Focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 3.3 Placemaking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 3.4 Urban Places of Regional Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 3.5 Smaller Towns, Villages and Rural Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 3.6 Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 3.7(a) Athlone Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 3.7(b) Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 3.7(c) Sligo Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 3.8 Key Towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 3.9 Other Places of Strategic Potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region 141 4.1 Our Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 4.2 Potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 4.3 Place-Based Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 4.4 Sectors and Clusters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region 187 5.1 Economic Progress and Environmental Impacts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 5.2 Environment and Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 5.3 Our Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 5.4 Our Natural Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 5.5 Natural Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 5.6 Cultural Heritage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 5.7 Our Built, Architectural and Archaeological Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 5.8 Our Natural Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 5.9 Forestry and Woodlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207Northern & Western Regional Assembly i

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   6 Growth Ambition 3: Connectivity - Connected Region 209 6.1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 6.2 Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211 6.3 Transport Investment Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 6.4 Digital Infrastructure – Delivering a Smart Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 6.5 Broadband Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 6.6 Smart Region - Integrating Digital Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region 245 7.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 7.2 Inclusive Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 7.3 Healthy Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 7.4 Age Friendly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 7.5 Childcare, Education and Life Long Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 7.6 Housing – Supplying Homes for Growing Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 8 Growth Ambition 5: Infrastructure - Enabling our Region 261 8.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 8.2 Electrical Grid Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 8.3 Gas Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 8.4 Waste Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 8.5 Water Services Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 9 All Island Cohesion 277 9.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 9.2 Working Together for Economic Advantage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279 9.3 Co-ordination of Investment in Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 10 Implementation 293 10.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 10.2 Legislative Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 10.3 Funding Follows Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 10.4 Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 10.5 Responsive Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 Acronyms Used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 ii Contents

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   LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Map of the Northern & Western Regional Assembly Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Figure 2: Map of the Northern & Western Regional Assembly Sub-Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Figure 3: UN Sustainable Development Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Figure 4: European Green Deal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Figure 5: Ireland’s Regions and Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Figure 6: Population Density Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Figure 7: Population of the Northern & Western Region vs Rest of the Country. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Figure 8: Population of the Region 1996-2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Figure 9: Population Pyramid for the Northern & Western Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Figure 10: Projected Population Figures for each County in the Northern & Western Region . . . . .17 Figure 11: Commercial Vacancy Rates by County (Quarter 2, 2019) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Figure 12: Commercial Vacancy Rates by Prominent Town (Quarter 2, 2019). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Figure 13: Key Regional Trends for Working, Education, Diversity and Access to Walking and Cycling Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Figure 14: Range of Educational Attainment at a Regional Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Figure 15: Greater Value Added 2005-2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Figure 16: Five Growth Ambitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Figure 17: Population of Ireland, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Figure 18: Map of Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Figure 19: Galway Metropolitan Area Boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Figure 20: Galway Commuting Catchment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Figure 21: Galway – Residential, Industry, Regeneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Figure 22: Galway – Core Bus Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Figure 23: Galway – Proposed Cycle Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Figure 24: Galway – Open Space and Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Figure 25: Athlone – Spatial Definition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Figure 26: Athlone – Location of Growth Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Figure 27: Athlone – Education Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Figure 28: Athlone – Commuting Catchments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 Figure 29: Environmental Designations Around Athlone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Figure 30: North West City Region Catchment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Figure 31: Letterkenny Commuting Catchment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Figure 32: Letterkenny Strategic Plan Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Figure 33: Letterkenny – Core Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Figure 34: Letterkenny – Locations for Growth and Regeneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Figure 35: Letterkenny Strategic Road Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Figure 36: Education Provision in Letterkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Figure 37: Commuter Catchments in Sligo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101Northern & Western Regional Assembly iii Contents

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   Figure 38: Sligo Regional Centre Boundary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Figure 39: Sligo Green Corridors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Figure 40: Regeneration Sites in Sligo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Figure 41: The Growth Centre Vision for Sligo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Figure 42: Regional Research Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Figure 43: The Six Sub-Regions of the NWRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Figure 44: The Atlantic Economic Corridor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Figure 45: Share of Tourists by County (Source: Fáilte Ireland Key Facts, 2019). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Figure 46: Ireland’s Regional Experience Brands (Source: Fáilte Ireland). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Figure 47: Overnight Stays in Ireland 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Figure 48: Examples of Always On Destinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Figure 49: Windfarms and Hydro Stations in the Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Figure 50: SME Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Figure 51: The BioEconomy – More than a Circular Economy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Figure 52: Ireland’s Marine Territory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Figure 53: Protected Sites and Proposed Natural Heritage Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Figure 54: Gaeltacht Language Plan Areas in Counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway (Source: Údarás na Gaeltachta) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Figure 55: Our Natural Networks (Greenways and Blueways) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202 Figure 56: Sea Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Figure 57: East / West Dundalk to Sligo Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Figure 58: Rail Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223 Figure 59: International Cables Serving Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232 Figure 60: Household Broadband Connectivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233 Figure 61: Broadband Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234 Figure 62: Broadband Map of the Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235 Figure 63: Pobal Deprivation Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253 Figure 64: Electrical Transmission System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266 Figure 65: Gas Network / Existing and Potential. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268 Figure 66: North West Metropolitan City Region, Spatial Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280 Figure 67: North West Metropolitan City Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Figure 68: ICBAN – Central Border Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285 Figure 69: RSES Implementation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295 LIST OF FIGURESRegional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 iv Contents

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   LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Population Projections via the National Planning Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Table 2: Implementation Roadmap Population Projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Table 3: MASP and Regional Centres Population Targets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Table 4: Key Town Population. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Table 5: Galway City – Land Bank Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Table 6: Letterkenny Projected Population Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Table 7: Critically Enabling Projects for Letterkenny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Table 8: National Visitor Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Table 9: Farmholdings (Source: CSO Farm Survey, 2010) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 Table 10: Gaeltacht Service Towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Table 11: Projects in Northern & Western Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267Northern & Western Regional Assembly v Contents

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   Cathaoirleach’s Message At the outset of this process, it was the wish of all our members, across the political spectrum to make our Region a better place to live in, to grow up in, to work in, and indeed to visit. The members of the NWRA were committed to making ‘good strategy’ by carving out a unique space based on this region’s inimitable strengths. Isolated interventions will not achieve the ambitions of this region, nor will investment in infrastructure alone. There is a complementarity and complexity to regional initiatives that we cannot ignore. We cannot aspire to be a ‘Great Place to Live’ if we do not manage our natural environment. Equally the region will be hampered in its growth if it does not pursue policies that encourage compact growth and scale. Thus, an integrated Growth Framework to synergise investments and plan for strategic interventions is proposed; in order to maximise returns for our ‘People and Place’. Pursuing growth through a sustainable lens and adopting policies that support a ‘Greener’ and ‘Smarter’ future will future proof this region’s prosperity. This means we will have to challenge ourselves, our communities, our businesses and individuals to be innovative and design new ways of planning, working, building homes and living. That is why, as a Regional Assembly, we welcomed the new National Planning Framework. Ireland faces a period of unprecedented change. Time will tell the full impact of new public health measures in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. However, we know the measures will impact socially, economically and spatially but we have constructed a flexible and ‘living strategy’ that enables policy adaptation and ongoing review. As a body, the vision of the NWRA is to “Play a leading role in the transformation of this region into a vibrant, connected, natural, smart and a great place to live”. This spatial and economic strategy provides the framework to prepare us for the challenges ahead. We now need to move into implementation. I look forward to working in partnership with the wider public, private and community sectors to deliver on the vision that we share for our region. Cllr Declan McDonnell Cathaoirleach We live in a unique place with distinct communities and diverse landscapes. Our region boasts some incredible propositions; captured in our economic catchments, clusters, sectors, people and our communities. Unearthing it all has been an incredibly illuminating exercise.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 vi

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   Director’s View Now, more than ever, we need effective regional planning. Not just from a spatial or socio-economic perspective but also through the lens of population health. The Covid-19 crisis reminds us of this and demonstrates the intricacy and inter-connectivity of our ecosystem. It is not only about how we adapt to global economic challenges and climate change, but also how we seize on the new dynamic. This will require a combination of response, design and innovation; in how we do business, deliver homes, build communities and value land-use - creating healthy places and promoting sustainable communities. Successful places around the world all exhibit key ingredients - innovation, diversity, creativity and tolerance. Our region has these traits in abundance, but it also has the capability to be a leader in sustainability and consolidate its reputation as one of the best places in Ireland to live and work. Our RSES is built on the strategic assumption that sustainability will be the future differential; a new ingredient in ‘Place’ success. Sustainability will drive decision making around housing, jobs, investment and the movement of people. So, lets plan for that, meaning that the ‘strategic space’ open to the region, on the path to 2040, is more urban, more green, more specialised and more smart. Our RSES introduces the concept of a Growth Framework to achieve this integration, because regional growth cannot be achieved in linear steps. It’s a symbiotic process. We recognise the regions weaker urban infrastructure, so have adopted a clear strategy for compact growth. The focus of this strategy is on the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) for Galway and tailored Regional Growth Centre Plans for Sligo, Athlone and Letterkenny – which perform city-like functions. This region is also defined by its strong connection to our rural areas, and rural economies. This requires the careful management and encouragement of development within rural areas, to ensure that they remain and grow as vibrant communities. This Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) provides a high-level development framework for the Northern and Western Region that supports the implementation of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the relevant economic policies and objectives of Government. It provides a 12-year strategy to deliver the transformational change that is necessary to achieve the objectives and vision of the Regional Assembly. It has been published in collaboration with all our stakeholders and we are grateful for their contribution. David Minton Director Globally, there has been a resurgence of interest in the role of “place” in regional development. This resurgence is evident both in the discourse and in the practice of regional development.Northern & Western Regional Assembly vii

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    Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032viii

Source Northern and Western Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032 (January 2020) · 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.