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 | RSES361 Overview of the Mid-West SPA Introduction The Mid-West Spatial Planning Area (SPA) includes the counties of Clare, Limerick and the northern part of Tipperary and comprises three Local Authorities - Clare County Council (118,817 population), Limerick City and County Council (195,175 population) and Tipperary County Council (159,553 population). The population of the northern part of Tipperary is 71,282. The area’s population (excluding the south of Tipperary) is 384,998 (8.1% of the State population). Between 2006 and 2016, the Mid-West increased its population base by 23,970 or 6.6% (excluding South Tipperary). The Mid-West is well positioned to build synergies between Galway to the north and Cork to the south due to improved and planned transport connections. However, creating a greater connection with Waterford is more challenging and is a key aim of the RSES. The SPA is focused on the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area (132,420). This represents is 3% of the State population and 8% of the Region’s total population. The Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area is 387 sq.km and in population and in area terms, it is the third largest metropolitan area in the State. In 2016, the population of Limerick City and Suburbs was 94,192 people while Shannon recorded a population of nearly 9,729. The population of Limerick City and Suburbs increased by 3% between 2011 and 2016 and Shannon’s population grew by 0.6% during the same period. Outside the Metropolitan Area, four Key Towns have been identified: Ennis (25,276 population), Nenagh (8,968 population), Thurles (7,940 population) and Newcastle West (6,619 population). Settlements such as Roscrea (5,446 population), Kilrush (2,719 population), Abbeyfeale (2,023 population), Newport (1,995 population), Templemore (1,939 population), Newmarket-On-Fergus (1,784 population), Killmalock (1,668 population) offer a vibrant mix of towns and contrasting landscapes, a high quality of life, a range of existing and planned social amenities, educational facilities and the availability of housing in the Mid-West SPA. Settlements in the Mid-West SPA such as Adare, Askeaton, Ballina, Ennistymon, Killaloe, and Scarriff (inter alia) offer employment opportunities and services in strategically located areas. They provide services, social opportunities, employment, infrastructure and are home to a network of communities. The health and growth of the regions towns and villages is essential for effective regional development.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES362 Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Location of the State’s third largest metropolitan area and city (Limerick City and Suburbs and Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area). • Significant urban regeneration areas of scale and transformative projects through the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan and Limerick 2030. • Employment locations such as Shannon Free-Zone (SFZ), Limerick City Centre and existing and future employment locations as identified in the MASP Refer to Limerick Shannon MASP for specific details and objectives. Shannon International Airport • Serves a catchment area which extends beyond the Mid-West SPA and is a strategic national asset. • passenger numbers in 2017 was 1.75 million but existing infrastructure at Shannon has the capacity to deal with 4.5 million passengers without additional investment. Refer to Limerick Shannon MASP and Chapter 6 for specific details and objectives. Shannon Foynes Port • Tier 1 Port of National Significance. • key role, both regionally and nationally, in meeting the external trading requirements of the Irish economy • Key driver in supporting the realisation of important potential wider economic development benefits. Refer to Limerick Shannon MASP and Chapter 6 for specific details and objectives. Network of Settlements • The RSES promotes strengthening and growing the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area and harnessing the combined strength of our three cities, as a counterbalance to the greater Dublin area, though quality development, regeneration and compact growth • Four Key Towns identified in the RSES: Ennis, Nenagh, Thurles and Newcastle West. • The RSES promotes building on the strong network of towns and supporting the villages and rural areas in the Mid-West SPA and across the Region. • Settlements collaborating and working together on shared initiatives can provide strategic opportunities to drive the regional economy. These networks present opportunities for collaborative projects and shared benefits from strategic infrastructure investments. Potential examples of networks are citied in Chapter 3 and 4 of the RSES and in the Mid-West SPA these include the Galway-Ennis- Shannon-Limerick (GESL) Economic Network, North Kerry/ West Limerick/Shannon Estuary/ Clare, Limerick-Waterford Network/Axis. Refer to Chapter 3, 4 and the Limerick Shannon MASP for specific details and objectives. Shannon Estuary • The Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) (SIFP) provides a coherent spatial plan to recognise the economic potential of the Shannon Estuary. • SIFP aims to support the multifunctional nature of the Shannon Estuary and seeks to transform the estuary into an international economic hub. • SIFP has identified an additional 1,200 hectares for marine related development (9 no. strategic development locations) by building on existing industry connectivity and synergy as well as the existing infrastructure to create more sustainable and attractive network for further investment. • Moneypoint and Shannon Foynes Port are strategic national assets along the estuary. • Cahercon in County Clare is strategically located to provide a maritime centre of excellence with accommodation for maritime research which could work to create synergies with the considerable hinterland available, existing infrastructure and direct access to deep water. • The SIFP is cited as a Good Practice example in Chapter 4. Low Carbon Economy and Renewable Energy • The Mid-West Region is a net contributor of renewable energy, building on a proud tradition of Ireland’s first renewable energy power station in Ardnacrusha in 1927. • Moneypoint electricity generating station produces 25% of national energy. • The Limerick and Clare Energy Agency and Tipperary Energy Agency are established agencies in the research of renewable energy. • Opportunities include Silvermines in Tipperary which has been identified as a location for the development of a hydro-electric station. • Mount Callan in Co. Clare has been identified for a Pumped Hydro Electricity Scheme complementing the existing regional scaled Wind Energy Development. Refer to Chapter 5 which contains details and objectives on the Regions transition to a low carbon economy.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES363 Bio-economy • Tipperary has become a ‘European Model Demonstrator Region of the Bio-Economy’ • The National Bio-economy Hub at Lisheen, Co. Tipperary will enable industry, entrepreneurs and researchers to scale technologies that convert Ireland’s natural resources (including residues) to products of high value for use in a wide variety of sectors including food ingredients, feed ingredients, pharmaceuticals, natural chemicals, biodegradable plastics and more. Refer to Chapters 4 and 5 which contains details and objectives on the Bio-economy. Tourism • The RSES supports the promotion of the tourism assets of the Mid-West SPA, subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process, which include, inter alia, the Hunt Museum, Adare Heritage Centre, the Milk Market, Ballyhoura Mountain Trails, Thomond Park, the Great Southern Greenway, the Frank McCourt Museum, Pery Square, Limerick Gallery of Arts, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Red Mile, Ireland’s Lakelands, the Shannon Estuary and its islands, greenways, blueways, Munster Vales the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, West Clare NST tourism route, Loop Head, Bunratty Castle, Holy Island, Lough Derg, King John’s Castle. Refer to Chapter 4 for further details and objectives regarding the tourism sector. Education and Research • University of Limerick (UL), Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), Mary Immaculate College (MIC), St. Patrick’s College Thurles, Burren College of Art, Gurteen Agricultural College, Templemore Garda College and the Shannon College of Hotel Management are critical drivers of economic development and the fostering of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for the Mid-West SPA. Encouraging collaboration between higher education institutes, the Regional Skills Fora and the Educational and Training Boards of the Region presents the potential to develop people’s skills and knowledge in areas most exposed to technological disruption. • The RSES promotes Limerick’s role in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and supports the spread of such initiative’s region wide. Refer to Chapters 4, 7 and Limerick Shannon MASP for further details and objectives.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES364 ATTRIBUTES ATTRIBUTES OF THE MID-WEST INCLUDE: • Limerick County and City population of 195,175 (2016) • Population of Limerick City and Suburbs 94,192 which is the third largest in Ireland. • Four Key Towns: Ennis, Nenagh, Thurles and Newcastle West. • Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area is the third largest in Ireland with a population of 132,420 in 2016 and a projected population of 172,188 by 2031. • Established high-tech sectors in ICT, Medi-Tech, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Food and Drink • Limerick produces over 6,300 graduates per year • The Limerick Twenty Strategic Development Company was established to deliver on key strategic sites in the Limerick 2030 Plan including the Opera Site, Gardens International Office Development, Cleeves Riverside Campus and Troy International film studios. • County Tipperary population in 2016: 159,553 • SIFP provides a coherent spatial plan to recognise the economic potential of the Shannon Estuary • Golden Vale Brand for High Quality Food Production • Tipperary is a ‘European Model Demonstrator Region of the Bio-Economy’ • The National Bio-economy Hub in Lisheen, Thurles, Co. Tipperary provides opportunities to promote more efficient use of renewable resources while supporting economic development and employment in rural areas. • Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Wild Atlantic Way all in Mid-West • County Clare recorded a population of 118,817 in the 2016 Census • Shannon International Airport - over 40% of US FDI companies are within 1 hour of the airport’s catchment area. • Shannon Free-Zone (SFZ) is 243 hectares in area with more than 7,000 employees in over 100 companies and is home to the largest agglomeration of American companies in Ireland outside of Dublin. • Shannon Foynes Port is a Tier 1 Port of National Significance. It has a key role, both regionally and nationally, in meeting the external trading requirements of the Irish economy. • International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) - the largest aerospace cluster in Ireland. Home to over 60 companies and employs over 2,600 people in Shannon. • Advancement of the development of a Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) R&D hub and testbed in Shannon. • Strategic inter-regional rail connectivity • Atlantic Economic Corridor and central location to the Metropolitan Areas of Galway, Cork, Waterford. • Energy: Mid-West SPA is a net contributor of renewable energy which significant opportunities in, inter alia, bio-economy, wind and wave energy. • Significant tourism assets of the Mid-West SPA include, inter alia, the Hunt Museum, Adare Heritage Centre, the Milk Market, Ballyhoura Mountain Trails, Thomond Park, the Great Southern Greenway, the Frank McCourt Museum, Pery Square, Limerick Gallery of Arts, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Red Mile, Ireland’s Lakelands, the Shannon Estuary and its islands, greenways, blueways, Munster Vales the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, West Clare NST tourism route, Loop Head, Bunratty Castle, Holy Island, Lough Derg, King John’s Castle. • University of Limerick (UL), Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), Mary Immaculate College (MIC), St. Patrick’s College Thurles, Burren College of Art, Gurteen Agricultural College, Templemore Garda College and the Shannon College of Hotel Management are critical drivers of economic development and the fostering of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for the Mid-West SPA.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES365 21% 12.4% 27.3% 24.8% 14.5% Age 15-24 Age 25-44 Age 45-64 Age 65+Age 0-14 Population by Age Old & Young Age Dependency Rate 6.6% UP Mid-West SPA 9.9% UP Southern Region 12.3% UP State Population Change 2006 - 2016 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% MW SPA Southern Region State Old Young 22.5% 32.5% 32.6% 32.3% 22.4% 20.4%
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES366 MW SPA Southern Region State Diversity and our Migrant Communities 9.3% 11.4% 10% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% MW SPA Southern Region State Households with Broadband 64.4% 70.7% 66.4% 20% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% MW SPA Southern Region State Education Attainment: All Third Level 30.1% 33.4% 30.3% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 2016 Census Non-Irish Nationals
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES367 Education Attainment: No Formal/Primary MW SPA Southern Region State 12.7% 12.5%12.6% 3% 6% 9% 12% 15% Mid-West SRA Southern Region State Housing Vacancy 9.6%10.3% 9.1% Mode of Travel to Work 70.4% 7% 13.7% Private Transport Public Transport Walking & Cycling MW SPA 70% 7.8% 13.5% Private Transport Public Transport Walking & Cycling Southern Region 62.4% 12.9% 16.6% Private Transport Public Transport Walking & Cycling State *Excluding Holiday Homes
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES368 Appendix 3
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES369 Goal 1 | Sustainable Place Framework • Vibrant living and working city centre at the heart of a thriving metropolitan area and region. • Social, physical and economic renewal of inner city neighbourhoods. • Compact urban development, achieving brownfield and infill targets through innovative design approaches to appropriate density and height. • Provision for diverse residential accommodation types to accommodate the needs of different groups in society including older age cohorts. • Network of compact metropolitan settlements and employment areas offering quality residential and working choices, interconnected with sustainable public transport, pedestrian and cycling networks. • A metropolitan area complemented by a network of connected regional settlements, fulfilling strong population and employment roles for their rural hinterlands. • Enhancing the quality of our existing places through retrofitting a high standard of infrastructure, services and amenities that improve the liveability and quality of place in existing settlements and communities, especially locations that experienced significant new population growth in the past (such as metropolitan towns) and existing areas experiencing positive growth (such as city centre neighbourhoods). • Achieve mixed use “five-minute” or “ten-minute” sustainable city and town models where short travel time and ease of access via sustainable travel modes is achieved between where we live, work, access services, access recreation and amenity inter alia. • Seek infrastructure led development where housing and job provision is integrated with high standards in sustainable transport, social and community infrastructure, quality public realm, recreation and amenities. • Targeted urban regeneration measures to address dereliction and underutilised lands, particularly in inner city and disadvantaged areas to provide improved environmental quality including street tree planting. • Rejuvenation of our existing built assets and public realm. • Protection and enhancement of the built and natural heritage and biodiversity. • Working with/enhancing the amenities of the natural environment. • Resilience to climate change and flooding. The future growth and ambition for each MASP will be based on the principles of a Sustainable Place Framework. This framework reinforces the positive relationship between the city centre, metropolitan area and wider region as complementary locations, each fulfilling strong roles. It positions quality place making at the core. This goal seeks: The following goals are set out and apply to each of the region’s metropolitan areas.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES370 Goal 2 | Excellent Connectivity and Sustainable Mobility Goal 3 | Economic Engines Driving Regional Enterprise Growth • Internationally through port and airport assets, Sustainable Freight and TEN-T Corridors. • For high quality, high speed digital infrastructure and optimisation of smart technology through Digital Strategies. • Inter-regionally through efficient rail, road, bus networks and services. • Intra-regionally, through multi modal transport options and services to access the metropolitan area and city centre efficiently. • To encourage the development of sustainable modes of transport to serve the smaller towns, villages and rural areas. • Within the metropolitan area, through an integrated network of high capacity public transport corridors and services, pedestrian routes and cycling corridors. • Within our urban neighbourhoods and employment locations to achieve high quality standards of public realm, public transport facilities, public transport interchange facilities, appropriate management of private transport and car parking, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and to promote a significant transition from private car usage to healthier and sustainable modes of travel where people and jobs are concentrated. • To achieve successful integration between land use and transport planning, achieving sustainable higher densities and appropriate uses at nodes serviced by public transport networks. • To achieve efficient mobility, with close alignment between home and work locations, ease of travel on sustainable transport modes, efficient and sustainable movement of freight and logistics, guaranteed journey times for inter-city and inter-regional travel. • Smart specialisation, strengthening and evolving existing economic sectors and clusters, supporting partnerships across academia and research centres, public bodies, business sector and local communities. • Embracing technology change, transitioning with resilience and innovation towards a smart technology future in how we live and work sustainably. • Offer excellent standards of infrastructure services and property assets for all scales of enterprise, from start-ups to FDI. • Quality of life offer, with attractive options for housing in the right locations, community infrastructure and recreation options easily accessible from locations of work. Our metropolitan areas shall be well connected through actions which will seek to deliver connectivity: Our metropolitan areas will have a competitive international edge through actions which support:
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