Regional strategy (RSES) · Northern and Western Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032
The regional strategy for the Northern and Western Region, including the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan.
Northern and Western Regional Assembly · January 2020 · 320 pages
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- 3.8 Key Towns Key Towns are those regionally strategic employment centres of significant scale that can act as regional drivers that complement and support the higher-order urban areas within the settlement hierarchy (ie. Regional Growth Centres and Galway Metropolitan Area). They also have the potential to accommodate a significant level of growth in population and employment through appropriate investment in infrastructure, support services and placemaking initiatives. Key priorities have been identified for these Key Towns and some other rural areas that present opportunities of regional scale.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 121Key Towns 3 People and Places
- KEY TOWN: BALLINA Ballina has a population of 10,200 (CSO 2016) and is the second largest town in Mayo. The town has a strong focus on commerce and manufacturing with servicing and retail being the town’s second principal function. The town also has an administrative function including Government Departments and national bodies as well as Mayo County Council. The town also serves a public health function provided by the district hospital. Ballina has nearly 5,000 jobs and a jobs/resident worker ratio of 1:36. It has a strong town centre which has maintained its vibrancy through the location of supermarkets in the town centre minimising out of town retail development. The town has attracted significant single enterprises including Ballina Beverages, Lionbridge and Hollister. There is significant potential for regeneration within the town core particularly in the Market Square/Military Barracks area as well as potential riverside amenities along the River Moy. There is capacity in public and private commercial/business parks and industrial estates situated within the town to cater for the expansion of existing businesses and attract new industries and enterprises. As Mayo’s most northerly town with a population of over 10,000, Ballina functions as the main economic driver for a large area of north Mayo. Furthermore, due to its proximity to the border of County Sligo, Ballina also serves as the main economic, commercial and social/educational centre for parts of west Sligo. This influence, in turn, overlaps with the western sphere of influence of the Regional Growth Centre of Sligo Town. This juxtaposition highlights Ballina’s current and future role both as a stand-alone economic driver and integrating as part of the network of other key population centres and economic drivers along this section of the AEC. The town has rail connectivity to Dublin, as well as to the south should the Western Rail Corridor be realised. Ballina has the most significant rail freight activity outside of Dublin, providing a vital service to commercial/industry in the town and beyond and supports the transition to a low carbon region. The proximity of Ireland West Airport Knock to Ballina benefits the town and significantly broadens the transport network capacity to an international catchment.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 122Key Towns 3 People and Places
- KEY FUTURE PRIORITIES g Build on Ballina’s strong enterprise and associated skills base, strong infrastructural base in terms of connectivity, Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and proximity to the Atlantic Europe Connect sub-sea telecommunications cable, Ireland West Airport Knock and the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC). g Build on the significant tourism potential of Ballina through investment in tourism related infrastructure, including Monasteries of the Moy Greenway from Beleek to Killala, incorporating EuroVelo1 Atlantic Coastal Route, Mountain Biking Trail via Ballina connecting the Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park to the National Mountain Bike Trail at Coolaney. g Regeneration within the town core particularly in the Market Square/Military Barracks area and regeneration of the riverside along the River Moy is crucial to facilitate an enterprise-led regeneration of the town centre. g Promote and support the uptake of underutilised industrial and commercial space and expand upon the capacity of business parks/ industrial estates in the town. g Removal of barriers to development through enhanced road and rail connectivity to and from Ballina including: i. Priority upgrade of the N26/N58 linking Ballina and the north west of the county to the N5; ii. Enhanced rail services (thereby supporting the transition to a low carbon region) to Dublin and commuter services between Ballina, Castlebar, Westport and Claremorris with connectivity to Galway and Limerick Metropolitan Cities and major international ports such as Shannon/Foynes, should the Western Rail Corridor be realised; iii. Continued investment in rail freight facilities at Ballina. g To support and grow the role of Ballina as the key economic driver in the north-west of the county and for a cluster of smaller towns in its catchment, capitalising on its designation as a Key Town within the context of the Sligo Regional Growth Centre and its location in relation to the Atlantic Economic Corridor, in order to facilitate long-term economic growth within the context of a high-quality environment supporting a wide range of services and amenities, thereby making it attractive as a place to work, live and invest in.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 123Key Towns 3 People and Places
- KEY TOWN: BALLINASLOE Ballinasloe is a key county town which provides an anchor for employment in east Galway. On the border with Roscommon, the town has strong links with Athlone. Ballinasloe is located within one of the County’s Strategic Development Corridors. The town has been recognised as an attractive place to work, live and do business, with benefits such as the M6 Motorway, rail, ICT, hospital and gas infrastructure as well as its strategic location which provides for the creation of sustainable enterprise. The town is the main economic driver for the east of County Galway. KEY FUTURE PRIORITIES g Realising the town’s potential as a ‘County Town, ensuring a balance of development in the town centre of Ballinasloe and providing for compact growth and brownfield development, revitalising Dunlo Street, Market Square, Society Street and Main Street, and to reduce vacancies and support the vitality and vibrancy of these core shopping streets/side streets and the town centre. g Promoting the town’s heritage as an important Market town supporting the future delivery of a regularised outdoor market/farmer’s market at a suitable location. g Promoting sustainable land use and transport solutions, whilst capitalising on the opportunity presented by the railway service and the M6 Motorway, so that sustainable travel, including walking and cycling, and integrated land use and transportation become central to the development of new neighbourhoods and the future development of Ballinasloe. g Support the delivery of sustainable transport solutions including the improvement of rail facilities and services serving Ballinasloe, including any future expansion of the railway station for passengers and freight as required.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 124Key Towns 3 People and Places
- g Facilitating the provision of a range of facilities, amenities and supporting services to serve the needs of the town, including educational, recreational, religious, social, community and civic requirements for children, youths, adults and older persons to serve a growing community. g Fostering economic development and employment creation by optimising the potential of the town’s strategic location and enhancing Ballinasloe as a place of employment through the provision of a positive and flexible framework for the creation of new employment opportunities. g Encourage and facilitate the sustainable development of the tourism potential of Ballinasloe and its environs in a manner that respects, builds on, protects and enhances the cultural, built and natural heritage of the town and the local amenities within the plan area including natural heritage and biodiversity. g Encourage and support the development of a series of cycle and pedestrian routes in the Ballinasloe area and in accordance with the Galway to Dublin Cycle Route and the Townspark Relief Road where feasible and in a sensitive manner, incorporating the streams, rivers, woods, and canal. Indirect impacts on built heritage, natural heritage and designated conservation areas arising from such recreational activities should be duly considered and addressed as part of any proposal. g The development of the disused and underutilised St. Brigid’s Hospital complex in Ballinasloe is an opportunity to re-imagine the town and bring vibrancy to its core. It has the potential to be a multi-use space, with an amalgam of cultural, commercial, educational and residential uses possible. g Promote Ballinasloe as an attractive investment location, aided by the IDA Business Technology Park on the northern aspect of the town and the availability of a variety of suitable lands - including lands located at former Industrial land at Pollboy, Brackernagh, at Deerpark and undeveloped Retail Warehousing and Commercial/Mixed-Use zonings at Dunlo that may support a range of business and enterprise uses and provide attractive approaches into Ballinasloe.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 125Key Towns 3 People and Places
- KEY TOWN: CASTLEBAR Castlebar is the county town with a population of 12,100 (CSO 2016). It is the principal retail town in Mayo with a real vibrancy within the town centre. Castlebar attracts shoppers throughout the county and provides a counterbalance, albeit at a lesser scale, to Galway. Castlebar is the main administrative, public health, education and commercial centre in the county. The town provides over 9000 jobs, with a jobs/resident worker ratio of 1.920 (CSO 2016). At a more strategic level, Castlebar is intrinsically linked to the nearby town of Westport, and the imminent upgrading of the N5 will also reduce the commuting time between Westport and Castlebar. This will further enhance the existing strong economic, commercial and social links and interdependencies between the two towns. The increased connectivity between both population centres will also strengthen the urban structure of the region by creating a critical mass. From a regional perspective, this will provide urban places of scale located between the Galway Metropolitan Area to the south and the Sligo Regional Growth Centre to the north, thereby contributing to the realisation of the AEC. Castlebar has significant tourism potential, as home to a nationally significant tourism attraction - National Museum of Ireland Country Life, Lannagh Holiday Village, greenway link to Westport. Castlebar has a broad range of public amenity, sports and recreational facilities. The town has significant potential to build on ongoing investment in a national outdoor pursuit’s facility and to position Castlebar as a location for sports tourism. Mayo County Council recently acquired lands adjacent to Lough Lannagh Holiday Village, which it is proposed to develop, as part of an overall Sports Tourism Development Plan.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 126Key Towns 3 People and Places
- KEY FUTURE PRIORITIES g To support and grow the role of Castlebar, in tandem with the town of Westport, as a driver of economic development for the County and region, building on the dual capacity, and combined strengths of both towns in terms of population, established commercial, social and cultural links and proximity, thereby strengthening the urban structure of the region and enabling the realisation the Atlantic Economic Corridor. g Build on Castlebar’s strong enterprise and associated skills base, strong infrastructural base in terms of road and rail connectivity, Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) fibre optic with proximity to the Atlantic Europe Connect sub-sea telecommunications cable, proximity to Ireland West Airport Knock and the AEC, which position the town as a location for further inward investment. g Support the continued development of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Castlebar Campus in its ambition to become part of a Technological University in the region. g Utilise and expand upon the capacity that exists within commercial/industrial estates and the business and technology park with an emphasis on developing a facility similar to Westport’s Leeson Centre. g Improve cycle and walking tourism/recreational infrastructure and connectivity of the Great Western Greenway at Castlebar to Westport and Wild Atlantic Way and other tourism related infrastructure. g Deliver on the potential for regeneration within the town core particularly the old Military Barracks as well as significant tracts of land directly adjacent to the main streets. g Remove barriers to development through enhanced road and rail connectivity to and from Castlebar including: i. Upgrading of the entirety of the N5 to a TEN-T ‘High-Quality Road’ ii. Upgrade of N60 from Castlebar to Claremorris (critical link to the N17(AEC and Ireland West Airport Knock and SDZ)Northern & Western Regional Assembly 127Key Towns 3 People and Places
- KEY TOWN: CAVAN Cavan Town performs a regional function, being the largest town within the Cavan/ Monaghan/Leitrim sub-region and being the town which experienced the largest growth within the past 10 years. It has strategic facilities such as an acute hospital, Cavan Institute, Local Authority Headquarters, Agricultural College, Cathedrals and Sports Stadium. The Cavan Institute provides a range of Level 5 (Certificate) and Level 6 (Advanced/Higher Certificate) courses in the fields of Accountancy, Architectural design and technology, digital marketing, software development and animal care. Cavan well positioned to deliver the principal strategic function within the sub-region in terms of housing, job delivery and education. KEY FUTURE PRIORITIES g Build upon its excellent Jobs to Resident Workers ratio of 1.388, clearly demonstrating the important regional function that Cavan Town performs. g Promote Cavan Town as an attractive investment location for the County, utilising Cavan County Economic Forum and building upon the towns proven track record as an excellent investment location, which is aided by the IDA business park in the town. g Promote the delivery of third-level education in the Cavan/Monaghan sub-region, building on the foundations and success of the Cavan Institute.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 128Key Towns 3 People and Places
- g Promote the development of the Abbeylands Cultural Quarter to regenerate this important town centre site with vibrant town centres uses, new pedestrian street and public spaces. g Develop a regional standard multi-sports facility to service the current and future needs of the town and wider county. g Support the development of Cavan General Hospital as the regional centre for this subregion. g Build on the development of Cavan Town as a tourism destination capitalising on its location as a link between Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, including the regional flagship destination of Killykeen forest park which attracts circa 80,000 visitors per annum. g Support the delivery of Cavan Town Digital Hub that aims to attract and safeguard investment in the digital and technology related sectors, create jobs through entrepreneurship, stimulate digital start ups and innovative enterprise and develop a ‘Digital Cluster’ ecosystem. g Support the implement the Cavan Town Transportation Plan to ensure infrastructure enables the organic growth of the town g Support the delivery of additional economic development lands in Cavan Town recognising the lack of suitably zoned lands. g Support the actions set out in the Cavan Town Revitalisation Plan including the prioritisation of projects having regard to Cavan being listed as an Urban Priority Region by the EPA.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 129Key Towns 3 People and Places
- KEY TOWN: CARRICK-ON-SHANNON Carrick-on-Shannon is Leitrim’s County Town and whilst it is the smallest of the Support Towns it plays a strategic role in the region. Carrick-on-Shannon is considered to punch well above its weight and size and it has more than 2,500 employees working in the town and has a jobs to resident workers ratio of 1.7. KEY FUTURE PRIORITIES: g Develop and expand the potential of the Carrick Business Campus, and explore the opportunity to attract people intensive use of the modern existing buildings. g Deliver support to existing businesses in Carrick-on-Shannon to ensure their continued existence and expansion. g Promote research and development opportunities, building the capacity of the region. g Promote the potential of the Metropolitan Area Network fibre optic cable managed by eNET. This provides Next Generation Access Fibre Network that offers speeds of up to 100Mbps. g Progress the sustainable development of the serviced strategic employment land that is available to the east of the town. g Development of the tourism offer and the thriving Purple Flag Status of the town that supports a variety of support enterprises in the surrounding countryside. g Deliver on the Blueway development under the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy project (USEFE); It will develop tourism in the rural areas of Cavan, Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon, connecting 22 towns and villages located alongside the River Shannon and the Shannon-Erne Waterway. Influence and assist with the broader economic development and job creation in the region. Carrick-on-Shannon is strategically located within this Blueway.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 130Key Towns 3 People and Places
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