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 | RSES331 Strategic Residential Development Local Authorities and Public Bodies shall support the delivery of the Priority Infrastructure identified above to support the delivery of strategic housing development in support the overall development and planned growth of the Waterford Metropolitan Area, subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 11 7.3 | Strategic Residential Lands 8.0 | Employment and Enterprise The provision of adequate residential accommodation for different housing needs and household sizes will require each local authority to identify housing needs in Development Plan Housing Strategies and to place priority on the development of Strategic Housing Locations, including lands already identified by the local Authorities below: • North Quays Innovation District, Waterford SDZ (c200 new housing units) • Kilbarry (LIHAF location) which will create a potential for 450 new housing units by 2021 • Gracedieu (LIHAF location) with a potential for 200 new housing units by 2021. • Development of lands zoned for residential development in Ferrybank for c 850 units. • Bilberry (former Waterford Stanley Site) 252 units • St. John’s and St. Otteran’s Hospitals: 200 units • Former Waterford Crystal Site (Student accommodation): Phase 1 delivering units for 1,000 student places thereby delivering indirectly c. 250 units back to residential market. For the Waterford Metropolitan Area to develop its potential as an enterprising place and stronger employment location, it needs to expand its range of services and facilities to support growth in the enterprise dynamic and build critical mass into the economy. Waterford’s location on the south coast accessible to the Greater Dublin Area, to continental Europe and to Britain through the ports and airport, underlines the importance of Waterford as a Regional City of scale. The Waterford Metropolitan Area has a diverse economic base. Industry sectors (and sub-sectors) with a strong presence include: • Life Sciences: BioPharma, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Device, Biotechnology, and Nutraceuticals • ICT: Ecommerce, VR, Cloud, IoT, Retail Tech, Device Management, AI, Data Intelligence, and Mobile Development • Engineering: Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, Equipment Manufacturing, and Construction • Financial Services: Global business, Financial Services, Fintech, Regtech, Insurtech, and Global Payments • Agri: Agri Food and Drink, Agri-Tech, Bio-Economy, and Ingredients manufacturing • Creative: Design, Craft Industry, and TV & Film Production • Tourism
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES332 Building Economic Resilience across the Waterford Metropolitan Area requires an ongoing commitment to Eolas Comhroinnte Obair le cheile / Shared Knowledge Working Together to ensure a partnership approach to implementation of objectives and actions. A key partner in this task is the South-East Development Office (SEDO) who along with the DBEI have published the South- East Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020 (SEREP). The SEREP has a high degree of integration with the RSES and MASP in its strategic objectives and key actions and support MASP objectives to build economic resilience and support the development of industry clusters such as the Crystal Valley Tech Cluster. Key elements in making the Waterford Metropolitan Area a successful enterprising Economic Engine Driving Metropolitan and Regional Enterprise Growth include: • Development of the North Quays and an expanded and vibrant City Centre and as an Innovation District and potential Industry Cluster for Advanced Technology. (See sections 7.1 and 7.2); • Creation of a high-quality, high-performing university of international standing, the Technological University of the South East, with a considerably expanded higher education footprint in Waterford • Development of the Port of Waterford (Belview) as a major International Gateway • The return of scheduled passenger services to Waterford Airport and associated investment in infrastructure • Invest in enterprise assets and technology to attract new enterprise and build a Smart Metropolitan Area • Identify and support opportunities for innovation, enhancing productivity and innovative capacity of locally trading and employment intensive sectors to drive sustainable job creation • Work with Industry partners, Government & enterprise agencies and TUSE through ECOLC/ SKWT to strengthen the industry and employment base of the Metropolitan Area and its diversity and resilience. • Support for industry clusters supported by research centres of excellence encouraging more employees/ businesses to locate and relocate to the Waterford MASP area • Provision of effective supports and infrastructure for Enterprise & Industry • Expansion of Tourism and Retail • Identification of Strategic Employment Locations • Promotion and support for social enterprise and community employment programmes, recognising the importance of funding streams such as the Social Innovation Fund A Smart Metropolitan Area and Strengths in Attracting FDI a. It is an objective to seek investment in the sustainable development of initiatives of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in strengthening enterprise assets, fostering competitive locations and conditions for enterprise growth in the Waterford Metropolitan Area. b. It is an objective to implement and develop novel technologies, build a sustainable knowledge base and engage citizens in digital transformation, while minimising the risk of digital inequalities in the Waterford Metropolitan Area. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 12 Economic Resilience and Clusters It is an objective to develop, deepen and enhance the economic resilience of the Waterford Metropolitan Area through creating a vibrant and diversified enterprise base, with strong, healthy, connected Eolas Comhroinnte Obair le cheile / Shared Knowledge Working Together (ECOLC/SKWT) Clusters which assist in bringing disruptive technologies and innovations to national and global markets. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 13
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES333 Technological University of the South-East (TUSE) Local Authorities and Public Bodies shall prioritise the development of the necessary infrastructure and connectivity (including research and innovation infrastructure) to support the development of the Multi-Campus TUSE and support its future expansion so as to transform and grow the Waterford Metropolitan Area, subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 14 In strengthening the role of the Waterford Metropolitan Area as a Regional City of Scale and primary economic driver for the region, the following projections for employment across the Metropolitan Area are provided. Projections are in accordance with a Ratio of 1.6:1 between the population growth targets and employment growth set out in the NPF for the Region. Waterford Metropolitan Area 2019 – 2026 2026-2031 Population increase 14,610 7,305 Additional Jobs 9,130 4,565 8.1 | Technological University of the South-East (TUSE) Waterford is the only City in Ireland without a University. The creation of the Technological University of the South-East (TUSE) will harness the excellence of education resources, research and innovation, industry, social and community engagement in WIT and IT Carlow, and develop a new university for the City of Waterford and the wider South-East that will be a catalyst for social, cultural and economic change. The MASP supports the development of TUSE as a necessary enhancement of existing higher education options in the Region, along with the increased recognition a University will bring to the Waterford Metropolitan Area as a University City. The direct benefits of the development of TUSE will coincide with the wider objectives of the MASP to transform and grow the Waterford Metropolitan Area through: • Enhanced innovation capability in the region through considerably enhanced research and innovation infrastructure in support of the regional strategy to build knowledge-intensive industry and sustainable and high-quality employment; • Improved capability to deliver the talent pipeline to regional industry and enterprise; • An improvement in the ability of the South East to retain existing talent and to attract new talent from overseas; • Greater range and volume of cultural activity which is normally associated with a University City; • Greater access to finance to fund infrastructural development on campus sites in the city; • Greater accessibility of higher education opportunities across the city and region.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES334 8.2 | Development of the Port of Waterford (Belview) as a Major International Gateway The Port of Waterford is Ireland’s closest multi-modal port to Continental Europe with significant capacity for growth. A Port of National Significance (Tier 2) and a Comprehensive Port on the Ten-T Network, it currently handles 1 million tonnes of bulk product (primarily Agri-Related) and 100,000 tonnes of break bulk (timber, steel). The Port of Waterford Master Plan provides a framework to provide for future infrastructure investment requirements for enhanced capacity, which includes quay extensions, widening and deepening of shipping channels and installation of walling to reduce requirements for dredging, deeper berths at quays, and a larger turning basin. The RSES supports development of freight rail services and facilities at the Region’s ports. For the Port of Waterford, this will require improvements to the Waterford to Limerick rail line as a key strategic freight corridor to build the Region’s international connectivity. For the Port to function effectively for the State and support modal shift freight rail as part of wider climate action programmes, effective financial incentives should be provided. The Port has a significant industrial hinterland including the IDA’s 55 ha Strategic Industrial landbank and the port has identified the need for further additional land and facilities to support port activity in the Master Plan. Improvements to the N29 and the intersection close to the N25 will enable lands to be released for development and facilitate Port expansion. Under Food Harvest 2020, the Port of Waterford will continue to be a key export point for the agri-food sector, and Waterford can support economic development through improved routes to market for SMEs and all industry sectors. Port of Waterford Local Authorities and Public Bodies shall support the development of the necessary port infrastructure and associated road and rail connectivity required to support the development of the Port of Waterford Belview and to support the role of the Port as an Economic Driver for the South-East subject to the outcome of appropriate appraisal, environmental assessments and the planning process. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 15
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES335 The identification of effective supports for industry and enterprise will be critical to propulsive growth of the Waterford Metropolitan Area. Improved international connectivity together with public transport links and infrastructure to Dublin and other cities will be required to support the targeted growth of Waterford. As a Smart University city and with an objective to become a UNESCO Learning City, Waterford will be a city that will facilitate enterprise and growth through targeted, enterprise support allied to high-quality, internationally-recognised research activity with a emphasis on technology. Investment in research capability and infrastructure is critical if these aims are to be achieved. Investment in digital connectivity, an Internet Exchange and associated infrastructure at ArcLabs would be transformative of the regional technology industries, and would enhance the attractiveness of the region to high technology companies, as well as of regional research capability. The functioning of the ecosystem relies on collaboration and mutual exchange of ideas and resources. The Eolas Comhroinnte Obair le Cheile / Shared Knowledge Working Together (ECOLC/SKWT) Framework provides a collective approach (known as the Quadruple Helix in the EU). Through ECOLC/SKWT, actions to support enterprise and industry can be pursued including those listed below, identified through public consultation for preparation of the RSES: • Identification of diverse economic sectors with growth potential & clustering to build resilience to fluctuations in economy; Waterford Airport provides key strategic infrastructure for the Waterford MASP area and is a Gateway for the wider South-East. Investment in a runway extension will enhance the international connectivity potential of Waterford for Business (including multi-national companies involved in export trade), support the development of TUSE Research and Development with international partners and provide for increased tourist traffic. The runway extension of 500m sought by Waterford Airport would significantly increase the capacity of the airport to cater for larger aircraft and more frequent flights. 8.3 | Waterford Airport Waterford Airport It is an objective to support the further development of Waterford Airport and, in particular, the development of: • an extension of the existing runway to accommodate larger aircraft; • improved transport linkages and services between the airport, Waterford City and the entire South- East Region, i.e. roads and public transport; • measures to encourage additional operators offering services from this location; • the expansion and development of aviation-related industries at the airport. In this regard, Development Plans should incorporate policies to protect longer-term flight path public safety zones and to control uses which could adversely impact on the airport’s operations or the potential for new runway development and extensions sufficient to handle larger aircraft. Local Authorities should ensure that consideration of airport-related infrastructure and facilities is informed by an adequate level of environmental assessment including assessment of potential impacts on designated European sites. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 16 8.4 | Effective Supports and Infrastructure for Enterprise & Industry
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES336 • Targeted development and supports for particular sectors to achieve the benefits of clustering, leading to a pool of skilled workers in that sector and additional job creation in specialist support services; • Building on the existing WIT ARClabs model, create a network of innovation centres providing Incubation space, business supports & links to training and skills development in HEIs and access to top quality research. • Enhancing current work at WIT, expand the range of Research and Development Institutions linked to the University/WIT to support industry development; • Support the development of a Network of professional and Business support services; • Focus on the use and development of Smart City Technology to assist in providing: - services to business; - energy efficiency programmes; - efficient environmental management and waste processes. • Facilitate the increased diversification of available Diverse property/sites for new Enterprises offering: - Office/Lab/ Industrial/Storage buildings - Availability of Infrastructure and services including ICT & Green energy - Accessible location to /within the Metropolitan Area. • Facilitate the further development of Logistics and Freight handling facilities necessary for a Regional Capital; • Further develop the Regional Port with commercial shipping providing strong export links to trading partners; • Identify measures to promote Green Energy • Facilitate the consolidation of the city as a ‘Tech- Hub’ location The global dynamics of a healthy enterprise culture and the ability to respond rapidly to changes in the business environment requires access to global markets, people and resources and emphases the importance of international and digital connectivity for the Waterford Metropolitan Area. Enterprise Supports a. It is an objective to support the existing educational facilities in the Waterford Metropolitan Area as critical drivers of economic development and the fostering of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for the Metropolitan Area. b. The MASP recognises that the Ireland South-East Development Office and the South-East Regional Skills Forum works collaboratively with all the agencies focusing on key actions and opportunities that the Waterford Metropolitan Area can offer in terms of employment generation and the fostering of the knowledge-based economy. It is an objective that the Ireland South-East Development Office and the South-East Regional Skills Forum continue their work to deliver significant benefits to the Metropolitan Area and the South-East. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 17
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES337 Tourism a. It is an objective to support investment in infrastructure, including increased capacity of road, rail, ports and Waterford Airport to maximise the potential of tourism subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process. b. It is an objective to support the Waterford Metropolitan Area as a tourism destination. This will require the promotion of the tourism assets of the South-East SPA which include, inter alia, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Munster Vales, greenways, blueways, and other significant tourist locations in the South-East, subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process. c. It is an objective to ensure collaboration between Local Authorities and tourism agencies to develop attractions such as the Irelands Ancient East Waterford MASP Policy Objective 18 Tourism a. Within one year of adoption of the RSES/MASP a Joint Retail Strategy shall be prepared for the Waterford Metropolitan Area in accordance with the Retail Planning Guidelines. The Joint Retail Strategy shall include – inter alia- the defined area of the Core City Shopping Area, the location of Suburban or District Shopping Centres, a map to indicate sustainable travel routes to/from each shopping area, which prioritise cycle and pedestrian access over cars. b. It is an objective to protect and enhance customer experience of visiting Waterford City Centre through facilitating a mixed expansion of services including high order comparison retailing in conjunction with service, cultural and entertainment facilities in the wider City Centre including Cultural Quarter” and the heritage experience available in the “Viking Triangle as well as appropriate and sensitive redevelopment and infill development. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 19 8.5 | Tourism and Retail Tourism Waterford’s physical and cultural attributes in the historic core of the City have been improved with high quality public realm works and the development of new visitor attractions such as the Waterford Treasures Mediaeval Museum and the House of Waterford Crystal in the Mall. Joint Retail Strategy The development of a Joint Retail Strategy to cover the Waterford Metropolitan Area has been a long-term objective and a requirement of both the South-East RPGs and Retail Planning Guidelines. The Retail Planning Guidelines published in 2012 states that ‘Joint or Multi- Authority Retail Strategies must be prepared’ for urban areas identified in the Guidelines and Table 1 on page 22 identifies Waterford and Counties Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford as the planning authorities which should participate in the preparation of a Joint Retail Strategy. Waterford faces similar challenges to other urban centres due to the increased spend on online retailing. The MASP will support the continued public realm improvements to the city centre including development of a more walkable city centre, improved access by public transport including development of the new transport hub and development of digital technologies to support and attract consumers to a unique retail experience. Key actions to build the tourism sector include: • Support for further development of the Waterford experience centred on the Viking Triangle and Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre • Support continued investment in the public realm and improvements associated with development of a more Walkable City • Development of the Waterford Cultural Quarter • Extension of the Waterford Greenway through the City Centre and across the river to link with the proposed Waterford – New Ross Greenway • Improved access to the River Suir and Waterford Harbour through, for example, sustainable tourism initiatives opportunities for boat trips and sailing • Development of regional scale public open space and linked to development of green infrastructure. The RSES supports the further development of the Ireland’s Ancient East brand and actions for the Visitor Economic Development Plan for the Region.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES338 8.6 | Stratgeic Employment Locations The following Strategic Employment Locations have been identified in the MASP area. 1. Waterford City Centre including Viking Triangle 2. North Quays Innovation District 3. Port of Waterford - Belview 4. The Belview Port Industrial area & IDA Lands - located approximately 5km downstream of Waterford City in the River Suir estuary. The Port at Belview is a strategic national, regional and county asset with good road and rail links. The role and status of the port nationally and regionally and its industrial land capacity should be strengthened to support and promote a balanced multi-modal freight transport policy that safeguards the importance of rail transport as a means of access to the Port. 5. Waterford Airport and Business Park plays a critical role in the development of Waterford and the South East, in terms of accessibility, supporting economic development and tourism. Reflecting this, lands have been zoned at this location to facilitate the development and expansion of the Airport as ‘Airport Area’ 6. The Research and Innovation Centre at WIT’s Carriganore Campus 7. IDA Business and Technology Park on the outskirts of Waterford city. It will be appropriate in the context of the MASP to explore potential synergies between the WIT ArcLabs Carriganore campus and the IDA Business and Technology Park adjacent to it with the view to creating an extended Knowledge Campus in support of innovation-centred industry 8. Former Waterford Crystal Site on the Cork Road, 9. The Research and Innovation Centre at WIT’s Carriganore Campus 10. Waterford Cultural Quarter centred on O’Connell Street Strategic Employment Locations Local Authorities and Public Bodies shall support the development of the identified Strategic Employment Locations and other potential sites/locations and provision of associated transport and services necessary to support the overall development of the Waterford Metropolitan Area, subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process. Waterford MASP Policy Objective 20
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES339 9.0 | Environment 9.1 | Recreational Amenity & Parks for the Expanding Metropolitan Population The planned unprecedented growth of the Waterford Metropolitan Area will see increased demand for access to sporting and recreational amenities, parks and open spaces. Development of new regional parks and recreation areas in the Metropolitan Area is essential to provide an attractive Metropolitan Area with a high quality of life. High-quality green and blue spaces are important not just for nature, but for health and wellbeing, particularly in the context of an increasingly urban society and increasing settlement densities5. There is a need to strategically plan for Green and Blue infrastructure in the Waterford Metropolitan Area, particularly considering climate action strategies and plans. This is important in the context of the transformative changes that will take place in the Waterford Metropolitan Area. Natural and semi-natural assets should be recognised as ‘infrastructure’ and these assets will only continue to provide us with these benefits if we actively plan, invest in and manage them to ensure that they are utilised sustainably. Green and blue infrastructure brings considerable value to the Waterford Metropolitan Area. The better integration of biodiversity into economic and development decisions will ensure better projects and will mitigate against unforeseen negative climate change consequences. As per Chapter 5 of the RSES, the incorporation and consideration of an ecosystem services approach can lead to significant enhancements in relation to planning policy and decision-making. An ecosystem services approach can be a major catalyst in bringing the different pieces of the jigsaw together while assisting us all to better understand and articulate the potential win-win outcomes. A Metropolitan Wide-Open Space, Recreation and Greenbelt Strategy shall incorporate the following requirements: • Seek investment in green infrastructure and green amenities to reach international best practice and invest in delivering a parks, recreation and amenity strategy for the Waterford Metropolitan Area. This should include the identification of a location for Regional Scale Park within the Waterford Metropolitan Area as well as the development of neighbourhood parks and open spaces and Greenbelt area. This should include development of a network of linier walks/cycleways and open spaces throughout the Metropolitan Area and links between residential areas. • Development of an Integrated Framework Plan for the Sustainable Development of Waterford Harbour, in order to harness the economic and recreational potential and protect the environmental qualities of the area for all users. 5. Ireland’s Environment an Assessment, EPA (2016)
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES340 Metropolitan Wide-Open Space, Recreation and Greenbelt Strategy It is an objective to achieve a healthy, green and connected city and metropolitan area through preparation of a Metropolitan Wide-Open Space, Recreation and Greenbelt Strategy. This will require co-ordination between relevant stakeholders to deliver the sustainable development of parks, recreation and high quality public open space in the Waterford Metropolitan Area, subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process. The Metropolitan Wide-Open Space, Recreation and Greenbelt Strategy may include, inter-alia: a. development of a Metropolitan Open Space, Recreation and Greenbelt Strategy in co-ordination between Waterford City and Kilkenny County Council and relevant stakeholders to deliver a network of Blue –Green Infrastructure - parks, Greenway and Blueway corridors, natural areas and habitats, functional spaces relating to flooding and drainage and pedestrian and cycling connections between metropolitan settlements. This shall include support for Greenway Extensions to WIT and New Ross. b. investment in green infrastructure and green amenities to reach international best practice and invest in delivering a parks, recreation and amenity strategy for the Waterford Metropolitan Area. c. identification of a location for Regional Scale Park within the Waterford Metropolitan Area as well as the development of neighbourhood parks and open spaces d. development of a Metropolitan Greenbelt Strategy in co-ordination between Waterford City and Kilkenny County Council and relevant stakeholders. e. Development of an Integrated Framework Plan for the Sustainable Development of Waterford Harbour, in order to harness the economic and recreational potential and protect the environmental qualities of the area for all users f. support and encourage recreation and tourism opportunities represented by the extensive shore line, the potential to create new walkways by linking existing areas of open space and woodland and the opportunity to develop the abandoned railway line between Waterford and New Ross as a Greenway for cycling and walking, subject to the protection of natural heritage including the European sites ( the Lower River Suir cSAC (Site Code 002137) and the River Barrow and River Nore cSAC (Site Code 002162). Waterford MASP Policy Objective 21 The challenges of climate change and the transition to a low carbon society are a key component of the RSES and relevant objectives are set out in Volume 1, particularly in Chapters 2 and 5. Responding to these challenges will be particularly relevant to the MASP and the Guiding Principles for the Waterford MASP seek to develop a balanced, compact and sustainable Metropolitan Area through integrated land use and transport planning based on support for sustainable transport modes.
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