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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- 5.3 Our Landscape The landscape of the Northern and Western Region is internationally renowned for its Mountain Ranges, dramatic coastline, beaches and inland waterway networks, including the Shannon and Corrib. The region is home to half of the State’s National Parks, with many other outstanding assets, including 34 Blue Flag Beaches, Forest Parks, Trails and a growing number of established Greenways and Blueways. The growth in domestic and overseas visitor numbers to the region’s Natural Heritage assets illustrates that there is merit in continuing to develop the potential of these assets while ensuring their intrinsic value is conserved and enhanced. Ireland signed and ratified the Council of Europe’s European Landscape Convention (2000), a treaty that came into effect in 2004. It recognises the importance of all landscapes, and not just exceptional landscapes, as having a crucial bearing on the quality of life and as deserving attention in landscape policy. It established that the general framework for protecting the landscape is the responsibility of the State. Ireland has since published the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland 2015 – 2025 (Dept. of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht), It sets out the aim of developing a National Landscape Character Assessment (LCA), which will include guidelines, to be followed by Local Authorities developing Landscape Character Assessments of their local area or at intra local authority level, building on the National Landscape Character Assessment and using the associated Guidelines. It is important that there is a more consistent approach to landscape characterisation and amenity protection measures applied to similar classifications across the region. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVE RPO 5.2 (a) Protect manage and conserve the quality, character and distinctiveness of our Landscapes and seascapes. (b) The Assembly supports co-operation and co-ordination between Local Authorities in determining landscape character along their borders. A targeted review should be undertaken to ensure consistency in classification and policy in adjoining areas of similar character. The NWRA will assist in collaboration and coordination. (c) Following the completion of the National Landscape Character Assessment, and any associated statutory Guidelines, the Regional Assembly shall prepare a Regional Landscape Character Assessment to promote improved landscape management and designation.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 191 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- 5.4 Our Natural Heritage The natural heritage of the region presents significant opportunities that require careful management and conservation of species. It requires a strategic approach to ensure the adequate conservation of habitats where many of our plants and animals live. To succeed in conserving our native species, we need the support of landowners and people who use or visit the land. Some habitats and species are protected through designation, whether it be a particular area or specified animal. Designation alone, however, will not deliver conservation and protection, it must be accompanied by good management practice and sustainable development practices. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG) are responsible for the designation of conservation sites in Ireland. A significant area of the region are designated conservation areas, including SACs, SPAs, NHAs or proposed NHAs. It is important that this strategic approach to the management and conservation of our assets is promoted and the benefits to be accrued are harnessed sustainably. These site designations are informed by: g The Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) g The Habitats Directive (EU/92/43/EEC) The region also hosts extensive areas of peatlands, which are of high biodiversity value. This includes a network of raised bogs that present bog restoration potential, which will help Ireland meet its biodiversity targets including targets in the EU Habitats Directive and the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Cutaway peatland has the capacity to develop high biodiversity value habitats with a mosaic of wetlands, heathland, grassland, scrub and woodland. The re-wetting and the development of new wetland habitats also have the potential to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from these lands and eventually develop new Carbon sinks, helping Ireland to achieve its GHG emission targets.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 192 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- In 2016, the EPA published a report, (Ireland’s Environment, An Assessment 2016) which confirms the overall quality of the Country’s Natural Environment as ‘good’ in comparison to most other countries. It also identifies challenges in respect of environmental protection in general and specifically identifies issues within our region, which include air quality, water pollution (including lakes and rivers), and waste pollution. Locally such issues can have major impacts upon the quality of life of communities and indeed the reputation of the local environment. The environment and our health and wellbeing are inextricably linked and we need to look beyond simply protecting people from threats in their environment to considering how the environment can deliver a much wider range of social, economic and environmental benefits whilst ensuring no net contribution to biodiversity loss. Figure 53: Protected Sites and Proposed Natural Heritage AreasNorthern & Western Regional Assembly 193 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- 5.5 Natural Assets Our region is host to many of the Country’s National Parks, and to some significant sites beyond these Parks. In addition, the region supports a large number of sites designated for nature conservation including 215 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), 82 Special Protection Areas (SPA), 86 Natural Heritage Areas (NHA), 21 Natural Nature Reserves and 16 Ramsar sites. In addition, there are important stepping stones and ecological corridors which are of importance to wildlife. There is a diversity of habitats (e.g. woodlands, hedgerows, field boundaries, sand dunes, salt marshes, rivers, streams and associated riparian zones, canals, marine habitats and wetlands) that are not subject to legislative protection although they are of high biodiversity and conservation value and contribute to the concept of “green infrastructure” which can be conserved and utilised for our health and well-being. There is potential scope to expand the range and remit of our natural assets, and there are some areas within our region which exhibits the characteristics worthy of being considered as potential National Parks/National Recreation Areas. They include: (i) the zone of influence around Benbulbin in North Sligo/North Leitrim, (ii) the area surrounding Lough Arrow and Lough Key in South Sligo/North Roscommon. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 5.3 The Assembly supports the consideration of the zone of: (i) North Sligo/North Leitrim (Benbulbin and its hinterland); and (ii) The area surrounding and including Lough Arrow/Lough Key. as potential National Parks/National Recreation Areas. It supports collaboration in this regard with stakeholders including NPWS, Local Authorities, Dept. of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. RPO 5.4 Encourage the prioritisation of Site-Specific Conservation Objectives (SSCO) for all sites of Conservation Value, designated in EU Directive (i.e. SACs, SPAs) to integrate with the development objectives of this Strategy.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 194 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- RPO 5.5 Ensure efficient and sustainable use of all our natural resources, including inland waterways, peatlands, and forests in a manner which ensures a healthy society a clean environment and there is no net contribution to biodiversity loss arising from development supported in this strategy. Conserve and protect designated areas and natural heritage area. Conserve and protect European sites and their integrity. RPO 5.6 Develop awareness and create a greater appreciation of the benefits of our natural heritage, including on the health, wealth and well-being of the region’s ecosystem services. RPO 5.7 Ensure that all plans, projects and activities requiring consent arising from the RSES are subject to the relevant environmental assessment requirements including SEA, EIA and AA as appropriate. Outside of the National Parks in the region, there is potential to develop additional attractions of scale, building upon a significant number of outstanding natural assets, and existing recreational attractions, which are positioned in all counties across our region. The list below is illustrative of some of the many projects in the region that have the capacity to develop additional visitor offer, and increase footfall. National Parks: g Glenveagh National Park, Co. Donegal. g Connemara National Park, Co. Galway. g Ballycroy and Nephin, National Park, Co. Mayo. g Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark (Cavan/Fermanagh). Amenity attractions with growth potential: g Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Roscommon. g Glencar Lake and Waterfall, Co. Leitrim. g Monasteries of North Mayo. g Moorehall Estate, Carnacon. Co. Mayo. g Lough Muckno, Co. Monaghan. g Doe Castle, Creeslough and Errigal Trail, Co. Donegal. g Dun a Rí Forest Park, Co. Cavan. g Portumna Forest Park, Co. Galway. g Killykeen Forest Park, Co. Cavan.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 195 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- 5.6 Cultural Heritage Our distinctive Cultural Heritage is a key asset that presents a competitive advantage to the region in encouraging economic activity. It has an enviable international reputation arising from the quality and originality of music, theatre, film/video, visual arts, literature, native language, song and dance. This is reinforced through our archaeology, historic buildings and streetscapes, while the considerable infrastructure that has been created to facilitate their enjoyment by the public, such as in libraries, theatres and museums, is a source of employment and enjoyment for many thousands of the region’s inhabitants. National Investment Priorities for cultural heritage and the Gaeltacht are set out in the capital investment plan ‘Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage, 2018 – 2027’ which delivers on Project Ireland 2040. The plan includes a commitment to spend €1.2bn over 10 years, which is prioritised in three areas, which are Culture, Heritage and language and the Islands. It is designed with three broad objectives: 1. To greatly enhance cultural participation for all our people; 2. To promote and celebrate Ireland as a centre of cultural excellence, a source of rich natural and built heritage and the home of one of Europe’s oldest and richest languages; and 3. To ensure that we reap the economic rewards of our rich resources of cultural creativity. The protection and enhancement of our culture and heritage are critical in ensuring that our cities, towns, villages and rural areas are attractive and sustainable places for people to live, work and recreate. Our culture and creativity is a key element in contributing to the region’s economic and social development, with arts and culture providing a robust social infrastructure that underpins our sense of well-being. Our heritage plays a major role in creating and sustaining community cohesion, collective well-being, and instilling a deep sense of belonging, whilst our language is fundamental to our identity and our expression of ourselves as a distinct people. Our region is celebrated for its cultural heritage, influenced by the region holding two of the three largest Gaeltacht Areas in the Country, in Connemara, Mayo and West Donegal where the speaking of the Irish language is most prolific. This presents the region with a unique value proposition that must be protected and conserved through actions such as the development of Language Plans. This is provided for within this strategy and reflects the Governments ‘20 year Strategy for the Irish Language (2010 – 2030)’, with Language Plans for 26 Areas across the country now at various stages of preparation in delivering on this Strategy.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 196 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- Figure 54: Gaeltacht Language Plan Areas in Counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway (Source: Údarás na Gaeltachta) Table 10: Gaeltacht Service Towns Contae/County Baile/Town Dún na nGall/Donegal g Leitir Ceanainn/Letterkenny g An Clochán Liath/Dungloe g Baile Dhún na nGall/Donegal Town Maigh Eo/Mayo g Béal an Mhuirthead/Belmullet g Baile an Róba/Ballinrobe g Caisleán an Bharraigh/Castlebar Gaillimh/Galway g Cathair na Gaillimhe/Galway City This presents the opportunity across our region to boost the spoken language, both within and outside the Gaeltacht area, and facilitate greater use of the language, through a whole series of interventions in both the community (voluntary) sector and the state sector. It is through the language planning process that support services and facilities will be provided, in a systematic and integrated manner, to the Irish language as the community and family language in the Gaeltacht. Similar supports will also be provided in areas outside of the Gaeltacht where there exists a strong community support for the Irish language. This will enable the Irish language to present the region with a unique selling point when businesses are attempting to achieve a competitive advantage in the market.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 197 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- There are seven Gaeltacht Service Towns (see Table 10) within or adjacent to Gaeltachts. They play a significant role in the delivery of public services, leisure, social and commercial amenities to Gaeltacht communities and provide a vital lifeline to them. This status bestows particular recognition to the towns in which services are provided to a Gaeltacht area and require that a language plan be prepared for the town, with the community, the voluntary sector and the public and private sectors all working together to support the Irish language. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 5.8 Promote, enhance and protect the linguistic, cultural and heritage value of our Gaeltacht Communities. This shall include development and implementation of Language Plans as the key Planning Framework and the development of the Gaeltacht brand as a tool to provide a competitive advantage. RPO 5.9 Support the provision of low-cost shared workspaces for Cultural and Craft industries, as well as the digital media and communications sectors; Promote the provision of training, education and professional development opportunities across all sectors of employment. RPO 5.10 Support the provision of adequate broadband capacity that enables the further development of the vibrant film/video and digital media sectors in the region in particular and that facilitates collaboration between cultural sector practitioners - regionally, nationally and internationally. RPO 5.11 Support the provision and/or upgrade of cultural facilities (e.g. multi-purpose arts centres, theatres, galleries, libraries, museums etc ) where the public, and visitors to the region, may enjoy and participate in cultural activities, with particular priority given to the City of Galway, Regional Growth Centres, Key Towns and to Gaeltacht Towns. RPO 5.12 Support and assist the formulation and implementation of Irish Language Plans through the lead agency Údarás Na Gaeltachta, across the Gaeltacht areas and within Gaeltacht areas and within Gaeltacht service Towns, as defined under the Gaeltacht Act, 2012. All future Development Plans and Local Area Plans shall be consistent with the Irish Language Plans, where applicable.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 198 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- 5.7 Our Built, Architectural and Archaeological Heritage The region has a rich and varied built heritage that reinforces our sense of identity, contributes to regional landscape character and fosters our sense of place and wellbeing. It includes vernacular buildings, formal architecture (such as elegant country houses and estate buildings), industrial heritage (including old mills and historic bridges), ecclesiastical structures and defining elements of our cultural landscape such as dry-stone walls. The conservation of our built environment contributes to the retention of a sense of continuity with our history and the attractiveness of our region as a place of choice to live, work and recreate. The Architectural quality of our built environment needs to place emphasis on a holistic approach to quality and sustainable development, having regard to both the environment and urban design. The Planning and Development Acts provide a mechanism for affording statutory protection to structures of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. However, not all structures that are of regional significance have been afforded protection under the Act but once protected the owners may be able to seek financial assistance from Government, depending upon the availability of funding programmes. The conservation of our built environment also presents employment opportunities, through training initiatives and employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. Where our National Monuments are within state ownership, the OPW has a responsibility to ensure that cultural attractions that are National Monuments continue to be showcased and are maintained and managed appropriately. Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public Works (OPW) have examined which investment priorities would leverage the potential of National Monuments to benefit Ireland’s visitor offer and enhance the experience of all.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 199 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- The strategic goal in the near and medium-term is to pursue, as a priority, a clustering of National Monument site upgrades within the catchment of our main urban areas and along the Wild Atlantic Way and within the Hidden Heartlands, so as to harness the rich heritage on offer across the region and to conserve our natural heritage. A programme that has been formulated (2016 – 2021) between Fáilte Ireland and the OPW identifies the following Heritage sites for upgrades, facility improvement, access enhancement etc. g The Ceide Fields, Co. Mayo. g North Mayo Monasteries, Rosserk, Moyne, Rathfran and Round Tower at Killala. g Carrowmore, Co. Sligo g Inis Mor, Aran Islands, Co. Galway. In addition, the Heritage Council has lead a number of cutting edge initiatives and programmes that invest in the heritage of our region. By way of example, Westport one of three towns that was part of their pilot initiative to invest in Historic Towns and Villages, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, thereby maintaining heritage integrity and improving the quality of Westport for residents and tourists. That is a specific project that merits being supported and replicated as an example of best practice. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 5.13 Protect, enhance and harness the potential of the region’s cultural and heritage assets. RPO 5.14 Support the conservation of the region’s National Monuments and built heritage, being structures that are of special architectural, historic, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest that are of Regional Significance or above. RPO 5.15 The Assembly support a targeted programme of National Monument sites to be developed in a manner that shall enhance the visitor experience to the region and protect the archaeological and architectural integrity and character of such sites. Priority shall be given to potential clusters of sites that are well connected focusing upon supporting the Wild Atlantic Way and the Hidden Heartlands tourism brands. RPO 5.16 Establish a network of Historic Towns and Villages across the region through a Regional Fora of stakeholders that shall be co-ordinated by the NWRA in collaboration with Local Authorities, the Heritage Council, Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht and other relevant stakeholders. The purpose of the Fora shall be to promote awareness and invest in a regional network of Historic Towns and Villages, thereby maintaining heritage integrity and improving the quality of our historic towns and villages for residents and tourists. RPO 5.17 Support the adaptation and re-use of heritage buildings and places.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 200 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
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