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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- TRANSPORT The national goal of having more compact growth generally and within MASP and Regional Centres, in particular, will increase the need and importance of providing more sustainable forms of transport and transport infrastructure in our urban centres. There is an overarching objective within the RSES to prepare Local Transport Plans in our cities and key towns, with Athlone identified as one of the priority locations for this to be implemented. Athlone is well serviced by the national road and rail networks and this position makes it easily accessible to over 130,000 people (within 1 hours travel time). In order to improve this basic connectivity emphasis initially on links to cities of Dublin, Galway and Limerick and the regional centre of Sligo should be targeted, this applies to both road and rail infrastructure. The improvement of public transport links within the town and its hinterland commensurate with the projected growth in population should be a key objective for the town. This approach is fully supported by the Assemblies. The promotion of walking and cycling within and through the town is also at the forefront of sustainable development. In this regard locally a new pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Shannon would be imperative for safe east/ west accessibility within Athlone. An attractive value proposition for Athlone would be to inter-connect local walking/cycling infrastructure within the town with both the sustainable travel infrastructure along the canals and the proposed Dublin-Galway greenway. There are several strategic infrastructure projects whose delivery is necessary to service the growth targets discussed above. The integrated delivery and prioritisation of projects is necessary to ensure that Athlone will reach its ambitions within the timeframe of the RSES. Figure 28: Athlone – Commuting CatchmentsNorthern & Western Regional Assembly 81Athlone Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan 3 People and Places
- The necessary projects include, but are not limited to, those that are set out below. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 3.7.5 Support the phased servicing and development of lands identified in the RSES for residential and employment uses. RPO 3.7.6 Support the proposal to make AIT a Technological University and for the development of a ‘smart cities’ approach to drive research, innovation and EU funding opportunities in Athlone. RPO 3.7.7 Support the integrated provision of the infrastructure projects identified in this section. RPO 3.7.8 Support the promotion of Athlone as a destination centre for the development of Hidden Heartlands including the development of a Wilderness Park Project based around Lough Ree. RPO 3.7.9 Support the preparation of a joint retail strategy as set out in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012. RPO 3.7.10 Support the provision of integrated signage to promote Athlone as a single, clearly identified entity. RPO 3.7.11 Support the implementation of the Athlone Waterfront Strategy. Support to provide for public realm and amenity enhancements and tourist-related developments along the waterfront. RPO 3.7.12 Support the development of an Open Space Strategy with provision for a public park in Monksland with sustainable transport links along the Cross River and connections to the remainder of the Regional Centre. The strategy to include the provision of sustainable transport, recreation and amenity spaces to support existing and future populations. RPO 3.7.13 Support the upgrading of the Water Supply System and the Sewage Treatment System (including a Drainage Area Plan) to meet the growth targets set in this strategy. RPO 3.7.14 Promote Athlone as a sustainable transport hub, of national and regional importance. The regional centre shall become a fulcrum for multi-modal transport facilities and services. RPO 3.7.15 Support the regeneration of underutilised town centre, brownfield and infill sites identified in the strategy, with a target of 30% of all new homes to be constructed within the existing built-up urban area. RPO 3.7.16 Promote Athlone as a sustainable transport hub, of national and regional importance and support the preparation of a joint Local Transport Plan between Westmeath and Roscommon County Councils in collaboration with transport agencies and key stakeholders to improve sustainable mobility in the town. RPO 3.7.17 The Assembly supports the preparation of a building heights study, a strategy to guide the future development of the regional centre. The study will take into account the historic, cultural and infrastructural features of the area. In developing this strategy, areas of high density will target the minimum density rates of 50 units per hectare (in the town centre area) and a default rate of 35 units per hectare otherwise.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 82Athlone Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan 3 People and Places
- ENVIRONMENT Athlone is close to many European designated sites (Natura 2000) and some of these are shown on the constraints map below. Their protection is inherently supported by the Assembly and the growth envisaged for the Regional Centre will take these and flood risk areas fully into account. The overarching environmental regional policy objectives in section 1.5 of the RSES apply fully. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 3.7.18 Support ongoing implementation of flood risk management and flood protection measures to facilitate the growth of Athlone subject to the outcome of appropriate environmental assessment and taking account of the proximity of sites of international nature conservation interest. RPO 3.7.19 The Assembly supports the retention of existing agricultural land within the RGCSP boundary for that purpose unless it is subject to objectives for the zoning of lands for particular purposes (whether residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, as open space or otherwise) in a statutory plan. Only in exceptional circumstances would it support the development of new residential, industrial or commercial uses on unserviced greenfield sites and these shall be defined through the statutory plan-making process. Figure 29: Environmental Designations Around AthloneNorthern & Western Regional Assembly 83Athlone Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan 3 People and Places
- 3.7(b) Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan CONTEXT AND VISION LETTERKENNY AND ITS ROLE WITHIN THE NORTH WEST METROPOLITAN CITY REGION This Strategic Plan for Letterkenny provides a framework for growth and investment to build its function as the primary urban centre in Donegal. It is also part of a Cross Border Network - the North West Metropolitan City Region (Letterkenny/Derry/Strabane). This network is identified in the National Planning Framework (Ireland 2040) as being a key enabler of Regional growth and prosperity across Donegal, Derry and Tyrone. The co-ordination of further growth across jurisdictions is the subject of ongoing work between both Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council and is being advanced through a Growth Partnership. This Metropolitan Area includes other significant settlements within Donegal, including Buncrana, and Ballybofey/ Stranorlar. The Framework for the North West Metropolitan City Region is elaborated upon within chapter 10 - All Island Cohesion. It is centred on four key strategic outcomes – closely aligned with the national strategic outcomes and priorities of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the eight strategic aims of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035. Those outcomes are: g Building Inclusive and Compact Places; g Investing in Connected and Accessible Places; g Planning for a Vibrant Economy and Nurturing Communities; and g Creating Resilient Places and Low-Carbon Infrastructure.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 84Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan 3 People and Places
- Figure 30: North West City Region Catchment Figure 31: Letterkenny Commuting CatchmentNorthern & Western Regional Assembly 85Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan 3 People and Places
- LETTERKENNY – REGIONAL DRIVER FOR DONEGAL Regional Growth Centres have been selected in the NPF because they are significant large towns that function in their areas in a similar manner, but at a different scale to the bigger cities. In the same way that the NPF requires Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans (MASP) to be prepared for each of Ireland’s five cities, a Strategic Plan that responds to the lead role of each of the identified Regional Growth Centres is also required, with a similar focus. This Strategic Plan for Letterkenny provides a framework for the strategic growth and investment in Letterkenny to deliver its function as the primary urban centre within Donegal. It will chart the future growth of Letterkenny with an ambition to grow the population by 8,000 to a minimum of 27,300 by 2040. It will also ensure that commensurate employment growth is enabled, through appropriate investment in critical enabling infrastructure and support services, with a strong emphasis upon the placemaking principles, as set out within the RSES. The goal is to ensure Letterkenny is a centre that offers sustainable choices in housing, employment, transport, and in the area of quality of life, health and well-being. This Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan shall act as an instrument that enables this to happen. The investment in Letterkenny is also vital to the future growth and development of its hinterland, which includes all of County Donegal and extends cross-border into Derry and Tyrone, as part of the North West City Region. The existing employment provided in the public sector, retail, and major sectors such as Engineering, and ICT indicate that Letterkenny is already well placed to underpin the growth of this part of the north-west. The successful growth and expansion of Letterkenny can be realised through increased, and significant capital investment in critical infrastructure, which will improve services, and accessibility, into and around the urban core, and provide a focus on enhancing the quality of life for all its inhabitants. VISION Between 2020 and 2040 Letterkenny will grow to a centre of at least 27,300 people, and will encompass all the key characteristics of a future city, with an expanded employment base, an additional 4,000 houses, together with an expanded offering in education, public services, civic spaces, and a Regeneration and reconfiguration of the Town Centre. Letterkenny will offer sustainable choices in housing, employment, and will be a centre that is pedestrian friendly, well served by public transport, with an emphasis on well-being, supported by a healthy environment, and quality spaces in the public realm.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 86Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy86 3 People and Places
- DEFINING LETTERKENNY’S REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN AREA The boundary of the Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan has been informed by identifying the main population and employment locations of the settlement that define the Principle Urban Area and those areas on the periphery with high commuting patterns. Geographical features and environmental considerations also inform the strategic plan boundaries. The boundary of the Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Plan includes the Town Boundary as defined by the CSO, as well as incorporating additional small areas which are considered urban in character and accord with CSO small area boundaries. The boundary incorporates all main residential areas, employment, and education facilities. The surrounding towns/villages within the zone of influence of Letterkenny (e.g. Drumkeen, Ramelton, Kilmacrenan) will retain their role in offering housing, and other activities. The Growth Centre Strategic Plan is focused on Letterkenny and its current, and future role as an economic driver for the whole of Donegal. Figure 32: Letterkenny Strategic Plan AreaNorthern & Western Regional Assembly 87Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic PlanNorthern & Western Regional Assembly 87 3 People and Places
- STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES COMPACT GROWTH AND DELIVERY OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR AN EXPANDING REGIONAL CENTRE Letterkenny’s population currently stands at 19,300 (CSO, 2016). The total number of jobs within the town 11,400 (Powscar 2016), is almost 30% of the overall jobs within County Donegal. The growth targets set out for Letterkenny are an overall growth in the population of 40% to a population of approximately 27,300 by 2040. In tandem to this growth, it is anticipated that employment numbers will also increase by approximately 5,000 – 6,000 additional jobs, bringing the overall number of jobs within the region of 17,000. Accordingly, the Letterkenny RGCSP needs to include all the elements to provide for this growth, including additional housing, employment lands, retail offer, a high-quality of life offer, and community, social and recreational attractions. Table 6: Letterkenny Projected Population Growth Letterkenny 2016 Letterkenny uplift 2026 Letterkenny uplift 2031 Letterkenny 2040 Population: 19,300 4,400 2,200 Population: 27,300 Figure 33: Letterkenny – Core ProjectsRegional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 88Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan 3 People and Places
- NEW PLAN FOR LETTERKENNY This RGCSP shall provide the framework for local policy development through the County Donegal Development Plan and a local plan for Letterkenny. It will provide for the detailed development for all areas in the RGCSP, including identification of zoning priorities, phasing of zoning, and detail on the regeneration and town centre design framework to be delivered over the lifetime of the RSES. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 3.7.20 To grow Letterkenny to a Regional Centre to a minimum of 27,300 residents by 2040. RPO 3.7.21 To grow the number of jobs in Letterkenny to approximately 17,000 by 2040. RPO 3.7.22 To ensure that at least 40% of all newly developed lands (Residential, Enterprise and Employment) are within the existing built-up urban area of Letterkenny. RPO 3.7.23 To provide an additional 3,000 - 4,000 residential units within Letterkenny to facilitate the growth as set out in RPO 3.7.20, above. RPO 3.7.24 The Assembly supports the retention of existing agricultural land within the RGCSP boundary for that purpose unless it is subject to objectives for the zoning of lands for particular purposes (whether residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, as open space or otherwise) in a statutory plan. Only in exceptional circumstances would it support the development of new residential, industrial or commercial uses on unserviced greenfield sites and these shall be defined through the statutory plan-making process.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 89Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan 3 People and Places
- RESIDENTIAL GROWTH Since 2006, the population living within the Town has increased by almost 10%. The ambition in the coming 20 years is to significantly advance upon this growth giving Letterkenny many of the future requirements to build on its function as a regional centre of scale in its own right. Letterkenny has several established neighbourhoods with the potential to develop new ones. Established neighbourhoods: g Glencar g Kiltoy g Lisnennan g Lismonaghan g Mountain Top g Ballymacool Potential new areas for Residential Development: g Leck/Scibley g Windy Hall g Killylastin g Carnamuggagh To cater for projected growth, it is likely that at least an additional 3,000 - 4,000 new homes will need to be provided between now and 2040. The phasing of this growth in residential units will have to be done in tandem with the growth figures outlined in Table 6. Central to this future growth will be the delivery of 40% of future homes are within the built-up envelope of Letterkenny. Achieving this will require the identification of lands which are already within the built-up envelope of the town and can be located close to potential public transport corridors, or within accessible walking distance of the town centre. Neighbourhoods: There are six distinct and recognised neighbourhoods and the forthcoming Letterkenny Plan presents an opportunity to reexamine them and to deliver further measures, such as neighbourhood centres, and additional consolidation measures, depending on the extent of projected future growth of other places. In addition to the established neighbourhoods, there are many areas where there are opportunities to provide infill and/or consolidating development that would assist in expanding the growth of the Town, without significantly extending the overall urban footprint in an outward manner, such as greenfield lands between Carnamuggagh and Lisnenan, and between Windyhall and Glencar. HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED? Delivering 4,000 new homes – measures include: 1. Ensuring the Zoned Lands are delivered sequentially on a phased basis, providing for compact and inclusive places. 2. To ensure that within the Town Centre area, that a mix of residential accommodation is included within mixed-use developments, which cater for a wide variety of needs, including students, and smaller family units/single occupancy apartments based upon the housing needs of the town. 3. In the medium term to ensure the Southern Relief Road enables a greater extent of new residential growth to the South of the River Swilly, with enhanced links to the Town Centre, through a new crossing of the Swilly, and a new neighbourhood focal point. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 3.7.25 To develop a Town Centre Living Scheme within 3 years of the adoption of the RSES, and to ensure the main findings of this Scheme are implemented by 2025. RPO 3.7.26 To deliver a Masterplan, in Urban Regeneration and Linkages between the Main Street Area, and the New Retail Park within 4 years of the adoption of the RSES, ensuring this Masterplan is delivered and implemented by 2025.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 90Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan 3 People and Places
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