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 | RSES201 There are five Gaeltacht Areas in Cork, Kerry and Waterford, each with a unique economic and cultural character. The 2016 Census indicates that the Irish language is strong in the Region. All Gaeltacht areas are served by Údarás na Gaeltachta, the statutory regional development authority with the aim of preserving and promoting the Irish language as the community language of the Gaeltacht. These areas have a wider role in promoting the use of the Irish language to the wider community, for example through residential Irish Summer colleges that also bring economic benefits. The RSES supports opportunities to normalise use of Irish across the Region and greater visibility of the language in the naming of buildings, streets, signage and in references to public bodies and agencies. New initiatives to plan and develop the Gaeltacht areas and use of the Irish language were introduced by the Gaeltacht Act 2012. The key measures include the development of Language Planning Areas (LPAs) and the development of Gaeltacht Service Towns (GST). The designation of GSTs is a recognition of the provision of services required to support Gaeltacht areas including digital and educational resources. The RSES supports the unique linguistic and cultural heritage of our Region’s Gaeltacht areas and supports the statutory functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta under the Gaeltacht Act 2012. The RSES recognises the designation of GST and the location of LPAs in the Region as spatial designations which support the growth and sustainability of Gaeltacht areas. There are five LPAs in the Region - Na Déise in Co. Waterford, Muscraí and Cleire in Co. Cork and West Kerry and South Kerry. The designated GSTs are Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Cork City and Macroom and Co. Cork and Daingean Ui Chúis, Cahirsiveen and Tralee in Co. Kerry. The Gaeltacht Act 2012 places a new emphasis on language planning and each of the LPAs and GSTs are required to prepare a language plan, to be prepared by a lead organisation. Outside of the Gaeltacht areas, the development of Carlow as a bi-lingual town is significant in a part of the Region located at a remove from the Gaeltacht areas, as is the spread of the ‘pop-up Gaeltacht’ phenomenon across the country and overseas. There is an Irish Summer College at Colaiste Ui Chomhraidhe in Carrigholt Co Clare. For places removed from traditional Gaeltacht areas, the Gaeltacht Act 2012 provides for a new statutory designation of Irish Language Networks to which such locations can aspire, providing an innovative new option to build critical mass for the language. 7.2.3 | Gaeltacht na hÉireann - The Gaeltacht and our Linguistic Heritage Map 7.1 | Gaeltacht Areas in the Southern Region
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES202 7.2.4 | Economic Development in the Gaeltacht A fundamental role of An tÚdarás is consolidating the economic foundation in Gaeltacht areas. Mindful of the socio-linguistic distinction of the Gaeltacht, an tÚdarás provide measures to promote the Gaeltacht’s competitive advantages for enterprise. The provision of high quality broadband and mobile communications services is essential to this role. An tÚdarás represents the Gaeltacht areas in the Atlantic Economic Corridor and also provides the role of Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Office in the Gaeltacht. An tÚdarás also supports and co-funds renewable energy initiatives such as the Regional Renewable Energy Programme and the LECo Interreg Project. RPO 195 Language Plans It is an objective to support designated lead organisations and other public bodies in the preparation of language plans as the key language planning framework for Gaeltacht development in each of the designated Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht Service Towns. Lead organisations and other public bodies shall support communities in centralising the position of Irish in society and normalising use of Irish through the development of language plans. RPO 197 Irish language Networks It is an objective to support the designation of suitable locations as Irish language Networks in recognition of community development work in the use of Irish in communities outside of the Gaeltacht. RPO 196 Gaeltacht It is an objective to support the development of a network of economic and social infrastructure to address the remote locations of the Gaeltacht, including: • The identification of Gaeltacht areas as economic loci and support for the role of Údaras na Gaeltachta in developing economic strengths and opportunities in the Gaeltacht and mechanisms to support access to employment and social enterprise; • The development of the Gaeltacht network of digital hubs; • Support for the development and upgrading of regional enterprise infrastructure and accommodation for the Gaeltacht and provision of appropriately located zoned and serviced lands to support enterprise space; • Local authorities should ensure that decisionmaking relating to the development of social and economic infrastructure including the development of communications and renewable energy are informed by an appropriate level of community consultation and environmental assessment
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES203 7.2.5 | Regional Recreational and Sporting Facilities 7.2.6 | Development of Trails, Walkways & Linear Parks Our parks, sporting arenas and facilities are essential to the quality of life of all our communities. The quality of recreational and sporting facilities contributes to good physical and mental health, sporting achievement and excellence and to wider social, cultural and economic benefits for our communities. The RSES supports the development of new regionalscale recreational and sporting facilities including new stadiums and provision of public parks and green areas. In addition, the RSES supports the development of new and upgraded local sporting and recreational facilities. Local authorities and partner organisations should seek to provide for a range of open space and sporting and recreational facilities to include: • Formal open space (passive) as a relaxed setting for visual amenity purposes, for walking, sitting and generally enjoying landscapes and nature; • Informal (active) open space or recreational areas designed for greater physical movement and sporting activities; • Access and co-operative arrangements for use of open spaces belonging to privately managed or community/voluntary clubs and organisations and often not readily open for public use; • Provision for full accessibility to sporting and recreational areas and facilities; • Sustainable linkages to nearby communities and neighbourhoods including provision of new or enhanced cycling and walking routes. In conjunction with local sporting organisations, local authorities and other public bodies should work to facilitate the following objectives. The National Trails Office provides a development of strategy at national level to stimulate and facilitate the promotion of recreational amenities and the development of new walking and cycling routes7. The RSES supports this strategy and the development of opportunities for improved access for walking to coastal areas, uplands and urban and rural waterways. For competent authorities and community groups it is recommended to follow the principles set out in the Irish Trails Strategy, and that the planning and development of walking and cycling routes area are informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment. RPO 198 Sport and Community Organisations It is an objective to support investment in sport and community organisations in the Region through the Sports Capital Programme including development of shared local and regional sports and community facilities by local authorities. Local authorities shall support the vision and objectives of the National Sports Policy, including working with local sports partnerships, clubs, communities and partnerships within and beyond sport, to increase sport and physical activity participation levels locally. RPO 199 Larger Sports Projects It is an objective to support investment in the sustainable development of larger sports projects in the Region under the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund. Local authorities should ensure that decision-making in relation to the development of recreational and sporting infrastructure is informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment. 7. Irish Trails Strategy in 2007, https://www.irishtrails.ie/Sport_Ireland_ Trails/Irish_Trails_Strategy/
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES204 7.2.7 | Development of Greenways, Blueways & Peatways 7.3 | Environmental & Built Heritage The RSES supports the development of Greenways, Blueways and Peatways including initiatives to extend existing greenways and blueways and link into regional and national networks, ports and other transport hubs, subject to such initiatives being informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment opportunities to develop new greenways along abandoned or disused railways should still allow for future rail use if feasible at a later stage. In addition to existing regional good practice such as the Waterford Greenway, examples of a strategic interregional greenway initiatives are emerging across the Region including the South Kerry Greenway and the North Kerry Greenway with opportunities to connect with the Great Southern Trail in Limerick. RPO 200 Green Infrastructure and Recreation It is an objective to support investment in the on-going maintenance and enhanced facilities in existing green infrastructure and support the provision of new public, parks, green space corridors and other public open spaces in tandem with projected population growth to create green, healthy settlements throughout our Region. Local authorities shall identify the potential locations of new public parks and opens spaces jointly (with neighbouring local authorities) and individually to develop both regional scale recreational open space and local parks and open space. Local authorities should ensure that decision-making in relation to the development of new or enhanced Green Infrastructure and new public parks and facilities is informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment. RPO 202 Natural Heritage, Biodiversity and Built Heritage assets It is an objective to support initiatives that enhance and protect our Region’s unique natural heritage, biodiversity and built heritage assets, recognising the contribution which education and outreach can play in developing understanding of biodiversity and heritage in our communities. Such initiatives should secure funding to support projects in the Region in line with the National Biodiversity Action Plan. RPO 201 National Trails, Walking Routes, Greenway and Blueway Corridors It is an objective to support investment in the development of walking and cycling facilities, greenway and blueway corridors within the Region between our Region’s settlements and potential for sustainable linkages to create interregional greenways. Proposals for investment in walking and cycling facilities, greenway and blueway corridors should be based on rigorous site/route selection studies and Local authorities should ensure that decision-making in relation to such developments is informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment, including all necessary reports to assess the potential impact on designated European sites and on biodiversity outside of formal protections such that proposed development does not contribute to loss of biodiversity. Local authorities and other public agencies shall seek to promote and support access to rural areas including upland areas, forestry, coastal areas and the development of existing walking routes, pilgrim paths, mountain trails and nature trails in conjunction with other public bodies, representative agencies and community groups and shall identify and protect existing paths, walkways and rights of way.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES205 7.3.1 | Natural Amenities 7.3.2 | National Parks 7.3.3 | Built Heritage and ArchaeologyThe Regions’ diverse landscapes and seascapes, rich farmland, river valleys, lakes, upland areas, peatlands and our coastline and marine environment, are key assets that demand careful protection. Other areas, such as national parks and nature reserves, including Coillte forests and uplands, are important natural amenities provide areas with key natural & recreational assets for local communities as well as being attractive for visitors and tourists. The RSES supports the NPF objectives underlining the importance of biodiversity and the protection of our natural heritage and landscape and these policy objectives are reflected in regional policy objectives. The Region’s attractive streetscapes, built fabric, archaeological structures and monuments contribute to the historic character and appeal of our settlements and rural areas. The protection of our built heritage and the restoration and re-use of derelict or under-used buildings and streetscapes can provide for a variety of innovative uses such as education, arts and cultural spaces or can be converted into essential uses such as residential accommodation. The restoration of extant built fabric coupled with sensitive new build developments can also add to the vitality of urban centres and attractiveness of places to visitors/tourists and to residents. The protection and conservation of buildings and structures and their settings as protected structures and archaeological (recorded) monuments will continue to be a key element in built heritage policy, with all buildings/structures identified as protected structures or recorded monuments entitled to protection under national legislation. A key area for the long-term protection of our built heritage is community involvement through community and educational programmes, such as ‘Adopt a Monument’. Such projects are supported as important links for communities to the built heritage of their area and can also be a focus for tourism projects, which can support community-led employment schemes, local economic development as well as the social and cultural development of communities. The RSES recognises the value of marine heritage, particularly in our harbours and estuaries and the customs and folklore developed around them. Local authority heritage plans should include appropriate policies and actions relating to marine heritage. Two of the six National Parks in the State are located in the Region – the Burren National Park and Killarney National Park. They are established in accordance with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are protected under law. The RSES acknowledges their importance to the Region and the need to continually maintain and enhance this amenity in terms of their nature conservation, biodiversity and amenity importance.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES206 RPO 204 Better Public Access It is an objective to promote initiatives that provide better public access for abled and disabled visitors to our historic, built and natural environment. Local authorities should ensure that decision making on projects/ development to improve public access and facilities are informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment. RPO 206 Architectural Heritage It is an objective to protect architectural heritage in statutory plans including a record of protected structures (RPS) and identification of groups of buildings/localities suitable to designation as Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). Local authorities should provide for monitoring and review of the RPS and ACAs including measures to prevent dereliction and to support re-use of built heritage. RPO 207 Archaeological Investigation Where proposed development may have implications for recorded archaeological monuments /sites, zones of archaeological potential, or undiscovered archaeology, local authorities should ensure that decisions relating to development (including infrastructure associated with broadband, telecommunications and renewable energy installation of services installation and major road/rail infrastructure) are informed by an appropriate level of archaeological investigation undertaken by qualified persons. RPO 205 Built Heritage It is an objective to support targeted investment in the built heritage of our Region including the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund to assist owners maintain our built heritage assets. RPO 203 Revitalisation of Historic Cores It is an objective to promote the initiatives of local authorities, the Heritage Council, local communities, heritage property owners and other stakeholders pursuing the revitalisation of historic cores in our cities, towns and villages. Local authorities should ensure that visitor pressures do not impact negatively on the capacity of local services (including water, waste water) if facilities such as car parking. In this regard, heritage-led initiatives shall consider historical setting /landscape character and potential for negative effects related to visitor pressures. Local authorities should ensure that decision-making on heritage-related projects and developments are informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment including assessment of impacts on other environmental receptors such as protected species.
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- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES208 8 8 | Introduction The sustainable growth of the Region requires the planned provision of services and infrastructure and is central to the strategy of the RSES which includes the requirement for: • Provision of infrastructure and services in a sustainable, planned and infrastructure led manner to ensure the sustainable management of water, waste and other environmental resources. This chapter sets out water and energy utility infrastructure to serve the targeted growth of the Region in a sustainable manner and specifically, to service and underpin infrastructure-led delivery of the settlement strategy, as outlined in Chapters 2 and 3. It is also related to Chapter 5 Environment with relevant objectives for water and energy. Water & Energy Utilities Q 9
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES209 8.1 | Sustainable Management of Water Supply and Waste Water Needs The Draft Planning Guidelines, Water Services Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2018, sets out how the planning system will relate to, and inform, the planning and delivery of water services by Irish Water (the national provider of public water services) at a national, regional and local level. They have a key role in supporting appropriately located development and the delivery of NPF and RSES policies and objectives .The Guidelines require that the quantum, location and distribution of planned development must have regard to the capacity of public water services and seek to make efficient use of existing and planned water services infrastructure. Key priorities are to ensure targeted investment to enable growth at appropriate locations, and that development is phased such that water services infrastructure is delivered in a timely manner to enable infrastructure led sustainable growth patterns. In addition to current projects it is anticipated that, subject to availability of funding, a number of significant water services infrastructure projects will be required within the lifetime of the RSES (and some beyond its lifetime) to support planned development and maintain and improve existing services. These include but are not limited to: • Water Supply Project for the Midlands and Eastern Region including key enabling infrastructure to benefit communities adjacent to the pipeline route in accordance with the sustainable approach set out by the NPF (NSO 9). • Water Supply in Cork City including City Centre, Docklands, Ballyvolane and North City Area, new network to improve interconnectivity between the Lee Road WTP and city. Provision of treated water storage for the Ballincollig area; • Western Environs Trunk Main in Kilkenny City to cater for the large future development of the Western Environs of the City; • Limerick City & Environs PWS to Shannon/ Sixmilebridge RWSS Interconnector; • Wastewater pumping station and rising main from Midleton to Carrigtohill and from Killumney to Ballincollig;
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES210 • Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project; • Drainage Area Plans for Limerick city & suburbs, Waterford city & suburbs, Cork city & suburbs, Midleton, Ballincollig, Dungarvan, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tralee, Killarney, and some smaller settlements; • Upgrade of Ballina/Killaloe effluent treatment plant; • Upgrade of Nenagh effluent treatment plant; • Upgrade of Clonmel water treatment plant. Based on national population growth targets (Appendix 1) and input from the RSES, Irish Water has identified the need to review the projects on the draft investment plan to take account of increased growth rates. Necessary upgrades will be identified in Irish Water’s 2020-24 Investment Plan and subsequent plans (subject to available funding and Irish Water’s additional obligations in addressing environmental drivers and constraints). Refer to Chapter 5 for RPOs supporting water resources and water quality. The RSES supports the work of the Local Authority Waters Programme to achieve the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive and the River Basin Management Plans. 8.1.1 | Water Supply Irish Water is preparing for the future by developing the National Water Resources Plan (NWRP). This plan will outline how we move towards a sustainable, secure and reliable public drinking water supply over the next 25 years while safeguarding our environment. The NWRP will outline how Irish Water intends to maintain the balance between our supply from water sources around the country and demand for drinking water over the short, medium and long-term. A statutory consultation process will be undertaken in preparation of the Plan. General initiatives and priorities to enhance water supply will include: 1. Water supply projects in the Region as part of Irish Water’s current Capital Investment Plan, and current Networks and Capital Programme portfolio; 2. Investment in projects under leakage reduction programmes in all counties through Service Level Agreements between Irish Water and local authorities; 3. Water conservation campaign; 4. Protect the source of public and group scheme water supplies by the inclusion of Groundwater Source Protection Plans in local authority development plans and the provisions of future plans to be developed for Drinking Water Protection Areas identified under the WFD; 5. Strategic water services through Irish Water’s NWRP to move towards a sustainable, secure and reliable drinking public water supply over the next 25 years, whilst safeguarding our environment; 6. The Core Strategy approach to development should be phased according to the population and growth projects set out in the RSES and the National Planning Framework and linked to the ability to provide the necessary critical service infrastructure.
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