Regional strategy (RSES) · Southern Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region
The regional strategy for the Southern Region, including the Cork, Limerick–Shannon and Waterford metropolitan area strategic plans.
Southern Regional Assembly · January 2020 · 382 pages
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- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES11 SOURCE | NPF 2040 PA DecisionSI/SHD Decision Development / Refusal of Planning Permission Local Authority Housing Strategy Retail Strategy Local Economic and Community Plans Capital Programme EU Directives Planning Legislation Ministerial Guidelines Government Policy Capital Programmes Application to Planning Authority (PA) or An Bord Pleanála (ABP)-Strategic Infrastructure (SI) and Strategic Housing Development (SHD) Planning Applications Establishes Policy Context for... National Planning Framework Regional Spatial & Economic Strategies Development Plans Local Area Plans (Including Core Strategy) NATIONAL REGIONAL LOCAL Assessment of and decisions on development proposals EU, National Legislation and Policy ABP decision to grant/refuse Appeal? Irish Planning System An Overview 8 Project Ireland 2040 | Building Ireland’s Future | National Planning Framework
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES12 What Project Ireland 2040 means for the Southern Region The NPF projects that the population of the Region will grow from between 340,000 to 380,000 people by 2040, bringing the population to almost two million and an additional 225,000 people in employment (880,000 in total). The challenge for the RSES is to implement a changed strategy to ensure that this growth is managed in a sustainable way. No place or community is left behind by the RSES. A dual-track strategy is pursued that builds on the cities, metropolitan areas as significantly scaled engines of growth, and supports opportunities for sustainable competitive advantage by repositioning the Region’s strong network of towns, villages and rural areas in an imaginative and smart manner. An innovative approach is taken to securing long-term transformational and rejuvenation-focused city growth through Metropolitan Strategic Area Plans (MASPs) for Cork, Limerick-Shannon and Waterford Metropolitan Areas and the identification of Key Towns. The principles of compact growth and unlocking the potential of centrally located sites will be key deliverables of the MASPs. Developing underutilised land to boost population and economic outputs of city centre areas and our strong network of towns is pursued. In turn these areas will act as economic drivers for their wider regions. Developing their combined strengths will create an effective complement to the economic strength of Dublin. Equally the focus must be on ensuring a balanced approach and realising the much-underutilised potential in wider rural towns and dispersed communities. There is a key focus on strengthening our smaller towns and villages as well as rural areas. Responding to the challenge of Climate Change is a priority. A responsive Regional Transport Strategy (RTS), along with the roll-out of the national high-speed broadband programme, is key to safeguarding the sustainable growth of the region. Further promotion and development of attractions and capacity, to capitalise on latent potential in tourism and local enterprise is essential. Growing the dividend from the Region’s clean renewable energy and tourism potential is clearly identified in the NPF, as is the developments of a more integrated network of greenways, blueways and peatways to support diversification of rural and regional economies thereby promoting more sustainable forms of travel and activity-based recreation. The NPF places an emphasis on consolidating the development of places that grew rapidly in the past decade or so with large scale commuter driven housing development. It has a focus on addressing local community and amenity facility provision through targeted investment. Actions to support significant city, rural town and village and rural rejuvenation include support from the Urban and Rural Regeneration and Development Funds.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES13 1.3 | REGIONAL PROFILE The Southern Region represents over 40% of Ireland’s total landmass and one third of the national population. With three of the country’s five cities - Cork, Limerick and Waterford and a network of large towns, the region has a strong urban structure. It remains largely a rural region with contrasting rural landscapes that range from the Atlantic seaboard to rich productive lands and river valleys. The Region has nine counties Cork, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford and is administered by 10 local authorities. Cork includes Cork City Council and Cork County Council. The administrative boundary of Cork City Council was expanded in 2019. It is also divided into three sub-regional areas, called Strategic Planning Areas (SPAs) - the Mid-West, South- East and South-West. The Region has a wealth of natural, cultural and heritage assets of national importance and is a significant tourist destination. Natural, cultural and heritage assets include, Gaeltacht areas, Cliffs of Moher, King John’s Castle, Lakes of Killarney, Fota Wildlife Park, Blarney Castle, The Rock of Cashel, Copper Coast Geopark, Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny Castle, Carlow Garden Trail, Hook Lighthouse and the Dunbrody Famine Ship, to name a few.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES14 Population With one-third of the State’s population (1.6m), the Region is the second most populated Regional Assembly area and all 10 local authority areas have experienced growth at varying levels since 2006. Between 2006 and 2016, the highest rates of population increase were in commuter areas near to Cork and Limerick Cities and in areas close to other larger settlements. Areas associated with the Dublin commuter belt in Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford also saw large population increases. Population decline was also experienced, primarily in rural and peripheral areas, with the largest decreases recorded in areas of Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Cork. Population decline was also evident in areas within Cork, Limerick and Waterford Cities. The overall age structure for the region mirrors that of the State. Population projections anticipate large increases in the 15-24 year (+26%), 45–64 year (+14%) and 65+year (+56%) age groups between 2016 and 2031. The 0-14 year and 25-44 year age groups are projected to decrease by approximately 14%. This changing age profile will impact how we plan for the Region’s future. Detailed demographic analysis is available in the SRA Socio-Economic Evidence Baseline Report 2018. Settlement Structure The Region boasts a strong network of urban centres with a city in each of the three SPA’s and 13 Towns with populations of over 10,000. The Region is further served by 15 towns with populations between 5,000 and 10, 000, and 45 settlements with populations between 1,500 and 5,000 that act as key service centres for their hinterlands. In 2016, the three cities and suburbs accounted for 22% of the Region’s total population. Growth in the cities and suburbs outpaced overall Regional and State level growth from 2011-2016, showing encouraging signs that our cities are strengthening their population base. There is evidence of significant decline in smaller towns and villages in the Region. Investment and policy support is urgently needed to bolster and consolidate these vital settlements to arrest the decline and the consequent depletion of the physical fabric and provision of services in these areas. Table 1.3 | Settlement Size Cork City and Suburbs: 208,669 Waterford City and Suburbs: 53,504 Limerick City and Suburbs: 94,192 Kilkenny: 26,512 Ennis: 25,276 Clonmel: 17,140 Tralee: 23,691 Carrigaline: 15,770 Carlow: 24,272 Wexford: 20,188 Cobh: 12,800 Killarney: 14,504 Midleton: 12,496 Mallow: 12,459 11,381 Tramore: 10,381 Enniscorthy:
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES15 Table 1.1 | Census 2016 population1 Table 1.2 | County population change 2006 – 20161 Total Population National & Regional Assemblies Local Authorities (Southern RA)Strategic Planning Areas (SPA’s) Local Authorities (SRA) Total Population, Census 2016 3.1% 8.8% 2.6% 3.1% 2.4% 2.1% 1.2% 1.9% 1.5% 3.4% 4.1% 2.5% 14.5% 10.7% 12.2% 8.1% 9.9% 17.8% 48.9% 33.3% 100.0% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Kerry (147,707) Cork County (417,211) Cork City (125,657) Wexford (149,722) Waterford City and County (116,176) Kilkenny (99,232) Carlow (56,932) South Tipperary (88,271) North Tipperary (71,282) Tipperary (159,553) Limerick City and County (194,899) Clare (118,817) South-West (690,575) South-East (B) (510,333) South-East (A) (581,615) Mid-West (B) (384,998) Mid-West (A) (473,269) Northern and Western RA (847,442) Eastern and Midlands RA (2,328,517) Southern RA (1,585,906) State (4,761,865) Actual Change National & Regional Assemblies Local Authorities (Southern RA)Strategic Planning Areas (SPA’s) Local Authorities (SRA) SRA Population Change, 2006 to 2016 SRA Average (9.9%) 5.6% 15.3% 5.2% 13.6% 7.6% 13.3% 13.1% 6.1% 8.0% 6.9% 5.9% 7.1% 11.2% 10.7% 10.4% 6.6% 6.5% 9.9% 15.0% 9.9% 12.3% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% Kerry (7,872) Cork County (55,334) Cork City (6,239) Wexford (17,973) Waterford City and County (8,215) Kilkenny (11,674) Carlow (6,583) South Tipperary (5,050) North Tipperary (5,259) Tipperary (10,309) Limerick City and County (10,844) Clare (7,867) South-West (69,445) South-East (B) (49,495) South-East (A) (54,754) Mid-West (B) (23,970) Mid-West (A) (29,020) Northern and Western RA (76,057) Eastern and Midlands RA (303,050) Southern RA (142,910) State (522,017) 1. Note the figures for Cork City and County refer to pre boundary extension.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES16 Economic Activity With employment nearly back to the levels seen before the economic crisis, the Region’s enterprise base is currently well-diversified. Overall, there is very little difference in the unemployment rates between the three SPAs. In 2016 there were 78,0002 active enterprises in the Region, both indigenous and foreign-owned companies operating across a wide range of sectors including – agri food, ICT, and Pharma. The headquarters of a wide range of multinational companies are located in the Region, particularly around the main cities. Enterprises supported by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA employ over 138,000, contributing nearly 20% to total employment in the Region. There is evidence of strong growth within business and financial services, and a decline in ‘traditional manufacturing’. The Regions Universities, Institutes of Technologies, Colleges and research centres are an instrumental asset in supporting our innovation potential .In overall terms the Region has a strong basis for future economic development. Environment and Environmental Appraisal The Region has a wealth of environmental assets from Ireland’s highest mountains, dramatic coastlines, and remote rural areas to fertile agricultural landscapes. Our rich urban environment includes a strong and historic network of cities, towns and villages. These have associated flora, fauna, biodiversity and cultural heritage assets, many of which are protected through European and National legislation, including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, Natural Heritage Areas and Proposed Natural Heritage Areas. The RSES includes environmental assessment documents, on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), an Appropriate Assessment (AA) and also a Strategic Flood Risk Appraisal (SFRA). Feasibility studies will be carried out to support decision making in relation to RSES objectives, including robust site/route selection processes to consider potential effects on the environment and Natura 2000 Network. The RSES is the regional tier within the planning framework, guided at the national level by the NPF, it will be supported by further robust local level planning through CCDP and LECPs. These in turn will be subject to appropriate statutory SEA, and AA processes. At the project level, all applications for development consents for projects emanating from any policies that may give rise to likely significant effects on the environment will need to be accompanied by one or more of the following, as relevant: • Ecological Impact Assessment Report (EcIA); • Environmental Report; • Environmental Impact Assessment Report - if necessary, under the relevant legislation; • Natura Impact Statement - if necessary, under the relevant legislation. RPO 1 Environmental Assessment a. Any reference to support for all plans, projects, activities and development in the RSES should be considered to refer to ‘environmentally sustainable development’ that has no adverse effects on the integrity of European sites and no net loss of biodiversity, that shall be subject to appropriate feasibility studies, best practice site/route selection (to consider environmental constraints such as landscape, cultural heritage, the protection of water quality, flood risks and biodiversity as a minimum), environmental assessment including EcIA to support development management and where required, the completion of statutory SEA, EIA and AA processes as appropriate b. The RSES seeks to protect, manage and through enhanced ecological connectivity, to improve the coherence of the Natura 2000 Network in the Southern Region. c. RSES support for other plans/ programmes (and initiatives arising) is on the basis of appropriate SEA, SFRA, EIA and AA processes being undertaken in order to ensure the avoidance of adverse effects on European Sites and ensure implementation of mitigation measures where required. d. Development Plans shall include an objective for the protection of European sites and Natural Heritage Areas (designated and notified proposed NHAs). 2. CSO Business Demography by Activity, County, Year and Statistic
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES17 9,945 2,848 3,792 2,410 1,236 17,924 18,303 4,844 21,267 11,268 20,095 16,139 4,897 16,747 4,855 5,198 16,902 15,806 14,884 12,428 15,634 22,084 - 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 IT Services Computer Programming Business & Financial Services Other Services Construction & Utilities ICT & Electrical Manufacturing Machinery & Equipment Medical & Dental Instruments & Supplies Other Manufacturing & Sub Supply Chemicals Food & Agriculture Employment in Agency Supported Firms 2000 - 2018 2000 2018 Table 1.4 | Southern Region - Employment in Agency Supported Firms 2000-2018 1.4 | STRUCTURE OF THE RSES Volume 1 Chapter 2 sets out the overarching Strategic Vision for the Region. Chapter 3 sets out the overall spatial development pattern for the Region, focusing on the strengthening of our cities, towns villages and rural areas. Chapters 4 to 9 cover topic -based policies and implementation: • Chapter 4 A Strong Economy – Innovative and Smart • Chapter 5 Environment including responding to Climate Change. • Chapter 6 Connectivity • Chapter 7 Quality of Life • Chapter 8 Water and Energy Utilities • Chapter 9 Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Volume 2 Volume 2 contains the three MASPs for Cork, Limerick – Shannon and Waterford. Volume 3 Volume 3 includes appendices including a summary profile of Strategic Planning Areas.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES18 2Strategic Vision 2.1 | Setting the Context for our Region’s Vision The RSES vision for the Southern Region is led by the need for transformative change. By 2040, the population of the Region will most likely grow by 380,000 people to reach almost two million. This growth will require new homes and new jobs. It also raises questions as to where our future population will live and work, what kind of quality of life will we enjoy and how we can adapt to the challenges we face such as climate change, regional disparity and global uncertainty. An unchecked “business as usual” scenario will diminish our quality of life, our environment, erode our competitiveness and compound regional disparity. There is a need for a different approach to planning for the future. The RSES builds on our strengths and potential to become a more prosperous, sustainable, climate resilient and attractive region for the benefit of all its people. The Region is well-placed to capitalise on this fresh approach. We have a diverse region with significant assets as a basis for building sustainable population and economic growth, improved quality of life and place, regional parity, and a sustainable environment. Our society is constantly changing. We are more outward-looking and globally-minded. Our population structure is changing, our households are getting smaller, women are having children later in life, and we are living longer. A considerable portion of our population is international and this will continue to contribute to the forecasted economic and population growth. We also face significant challenges. The current trajectory toward sprawling, low density growth has been detrimental to many of our places and people. Other challenges include ongoing migration of people, jobs and services to the Greater Dublin Area, continued environmental challenges, disparity between where people live and work, household deprivation in urban and rural areas, and exacerbated rural and village decline. Our rural areas face considerable problems supporting employment in the face of declining services.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES19 The RSES Vision is to: • Nurture all our places to realise their full potential; • Protect and enhance our environment; • Successfully combat climate change; • Achieve economic prosperity and improved quality of life for all our citizens; • Accommodate expanded growth and development in suitable locations; and • Make the Southern Region one of Europe’s most creative, innovative, greenest and liveable regions. The provision of houses and stemming decline in our cities, towns and villages are key priorities of the RSES. We need to take account of international risks, including climate change and geopolitical uncertainty, such as Brexit. While advances in technology present significant opportunities, it also can pose threats such as the negative impact of online retail on the fabric of our cities, towns and villages. Resilience and adaptability must be watchwords for our Region to ensure we are agile and responsive to change. Despite these challenges, we are in a position of strength and long-term trends indicate sustained population growth and economic recovery. In any event, we should plan for a more resilient society and the next 20 years present a window of opportunity to address challanges, broaden our economic base and work towards a more sustainable and prosperous region with a high quality of life enjoyed by all. In order to maximise our potential, strategic choices need to be made to ensure long-term beneficial dividends for the Region.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES20 Climate Change Climate Change represents the most serious threat to human life and the environment. If action is not taken on a global scale, global warming will continue to change weather patterns, cause sea levels to rise, threaten the future of entire nations and pose wider risks in terms of degradation of biodiversity, and threaten the planet’s ability to provide adequate food and shelter for the human population. Ireland and the EU are signatories to the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international agreement to restrict global temperature rises to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to limit any increase to 1.5°C to significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. Ireland’s international commitments also extend to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 13, to ‘take action to combat climate change and its impacts.’ These commitments are enacted nationally by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015 which provides the statutory framework to pursue decarbonisation by 2050.and the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019 to integrate effective climate action measures into national policies, backed by the Climate Action Fund. The Southern Regional Assembly (see Chapter 5) supports the implementation of the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019, and the RSES has identified three priority areas for action to address climate change and to bring about a Transition to a Low Carbon Economy and Society: • Decarbonisation; • Resource Efficiency; • Climate Resilience. All global risks of climate change are risks to the Southern Region. The Southern Regional Assembly is committed to plays its role to put in place a high-level regional strategy for transition to a low carbon economy and society across all sectors. The RSES prioritises action on climate change across all strategic areas and in all economic sectors. Achieving action on climate change will require a combined effort between all local authorities and their communities, government departments and state agencies to implement objectives for Compact Growth, Sustainable Travel and Place-Making to reduce the travel demand between residential areas and centres of employment and education. The targets for reduction of emissions across different sectors will be further developed, including key targets for 55% movement by sustainable transport modes. This will be supported by a robust implementation of time-bound and measurable objectives on climate action for the Southern Region. Once adopted, the implementation structures will be established to pursue the objectives identified in the RSES – including the priority areas for action.
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