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
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region, each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES81 Attributes • Location close to Shannon Foynes Port and Shannon Estuary • Scope for greater collaboration between Listowel, Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale • Manufacturing base in healthcare, joinery, food and beverages, and machinery • New investment from companies such as Ortec Inc (locating its European headquarters in Newcastle West) and the expansion of Filtertek has created a more resilient employment base • Availability of labour – the 20-39-year age group accounts for almost a third of the population and there is a large non-Irish national population, which accounted for 23.7% of the town’s population in 2016. This is an important factor in expanding the growth potential of the local economy • Development of the Great Southern Trail as a recreational greenway for walking and cycling through West Limerick with the potential of extending to Listowel Key Infrastructural Requirements i. Newcastle West Distributor Road and other transport measures through a Local Transport Plan ii. Wastewater treatment and water services improvements iii. Development of a regional athletics hub to service 9 athletic clubs and 41 primary and post-primary schools in the catchment area of Newcastle West iv. Investment for the development and full utilisation of the Great Southern Trail Newcastle West a. To support and promote the role of Newcastle West as a strategically located urban centre of significant influence in a sub-regional context. In particular, it is an objective to promote the opportunity for interregional collaborations across county boundaries with Abbeyfeale, Listowel and Rathkeale and locations identified in the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary, which offer collective strengths and potential for project partnerships to drive sustainable economic growth in the West Limerick/North Kerry area; b. To support the initiatives of the Atlantic Economic Corridor to realise the full potential of the Newcastle West enterprise assets to support job creation, improve competitiveness, attract investment and create future economic growth; c. To support the delivery of the infrastructural requirements identified for Newcastle West subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments; d. To support and promote the tourism potential of Newcastle West’s historical heritage to facilitate the expansion of the existing tourism offer and to develop connectivity to and synergies with Newcastle West and the Great Southern Greenway; e. To support the identification of opportunities for investment in incubation and innovation infrastructure for ICT and related companies and capitalise on Newcastle West’s ability to accommodate remote working, enterprise start-ups and up scaling companies. RPO 22
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES82 Key Town Clonakilty Clonakilty is the largest town in West County Cork with a 2016 population of 4,592, jobs total of 2,376 and a job to resident ratio of 1.29, which is above the regional average. A vibrant town with strengths in food production and tourism, Clonakilty is a key settlement on the N71 West Cork road network, connected to other settlements including Skibbereen, Bantry and Castletownbere. The inclusion of Clonakilty reflects its key strategic role within the particular settlement network of West Cork, its service role and hinterland interaction with other West Cork settlements, remoter rural areas, peninsulas and islands.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES83 Attributes • Key settlement on the N71 which functions as a sub-regional road corridor, connecting a network of distinctive settlements, tourism and enterprise assets, ports and fishing harbours with Metropolitan Cork, Port of Cork and Cork Airport assets • Significant food and beverage, technology and tourism industries and hosts the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine’s National Seafood Centre • Strategic property assets include the West Cork Business and Technology Park at Shannonvale with around 1,000 employees, high quality telecommunications and facilities, existing enterprises in software development, e-commerce and finance • Excellence in public realm and urban design (such as the award-winning Clonakilty 400 urban design masterplan) • Exceptional natural heritage and amenities, including Clonakilty Bay and Inchydoney • Access to the Wild Atlantic Way • High quality of life offer with access to significant cultural, heritage and natural amenities, town and tourism attractions of the Wild Atlantic Way, beaches, walkways and cycleways Key Infrastructural Requirements i. Completion of a Northern Relief Road and Western Relief Road flood defence measures ii. For the regeneration of town centres and efficient economic movement on the N71 road corridor, relief roads for the settlements of Skibbereen and Bantry in addition to Clonakilty iii. Multi-modal Local Transport Plan iv. Critical water and wastewater infrastructure for phased growth v. Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme vi. Regeneration site and public realm initiatives vii. Protect and enhance the natural heritage of Clonakilty Bay Clonakilty a. To strengthen sustainably the employment-led growth and regeneration of Clonakilty as an economic driver for West Cork, build upon inherent strengths, in particular food production and tourism, while protecting and enhancing the natural environment of Clonakilty Bay; b. Leverage its strategic location and accessibility on the N71 road corridor, sharing strengths with other settlements in West Cork, including an enhanced role for Bantry as part of the next County Development Plan review; c. Seek investment to support attributes and the sustainable delivery of infrastructure, including enhanced inter-regional connectivity (transport networks and digital) for all key settlements along the N71 road corridor to the Cork metropolitan area, Port of Cork and Cork Airport assets, subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments. RPO 23
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES84 Key Town Dungarvan Dungarvan is an attractive coastal and harbour town with a population of 9,227, which functions as a tourist centre for the Waterford Greenway. A former county town, Dungarvan is an important driver for West Waterford. It has a considerable food focus based on high quality local produce. Dungarvan is located on the Waterford-Cork N25 transport corridor. The town is a significant location for indigenous industry and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with educational and health/ community facilities and a vibrant retail and services sector serving the local community and an expanding tourism sector. The town is the designated Gaeltacht Service Town for the nearby Gaeltacht na nDéise located around An Rinn and An Sean Phobal.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES85 Attributes • Strategic Location on the Waterford – Cork N25 transport corridor • Direct access routes to the Ports of Waterford and Rosslare to the east and Port of Cork to the west/ south-west • Good access to Cork and Waterford Airports • Home of Go Dungarvan Smarter Travel Programme • Diverse employment sectors including pharma, hospitality and food. Total Jobs of 3,267 recorded in 2016 • A Gaeltacht Service Town, Dungarvan is a hub for Gaeltacht na nDéise focused development based on high quality R and D activity and enterprise in the area of media and communications • Renewable energy hub supported by industry – GSK involvement in Dungarvan’s Biomass Energy Plant • Retail Centre for the surrounding hinterland area • Tourist Centre for Ireland’s Ancient East & Déise Greenway and close to the UNESCO Geocoast and attractive upland and mountain scenery in Comeraghs/Knockmealdowns • Recreational assets of the Déise Greenway and coastal-based recreational activities • Centre for healthcare in West Waterford with St Joseph’s Hospital & Dungarvan District Hospital Key Infrastructural Requirements i. Upgrade the N25 linking Cork and Waterford (via Dungarvan) ii. Transport measures through a Local Transport Plan including ongoing investment in sustainable transport modes, particularly walking and cycling in the town iii. Other identified road improvements including upgrading of N72 between Dungarvan and Mallow iv. Urban Regeneration and Place- Making funding for town centre v. Upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure Dungarvan a. To strengthen the role of Dungarvan as a strategically located urban centre of significant influence in a sub-regional context and in its sub-regional role as a Gaeltacht Service Town, leveraging its strategic location along the Waterford Cork N25 Route and to build upon its inherent strengths including historical, cultural and architectural heritage, digital connectivity, skills, innovation and enterprise, tourism (in particular the Waterford Greenway and its potential sustainable expansion), culture and retail services. In respect of its importance to the environment, to tourism, to fishing, and to aquaculture (niche industries supporting rural employment), this RSES supports the environmentally sustainable development and treatment of Dungarvan Harbour and coastline; b. To seek improvements and upgrading of the N25 Waterford to Cork route, the N72 Dungarvan to Mallow and the R672 linking the Key Towns of Clonmel an Dungarvan; c. To support the development of Dungarvan as the Gaeltacht Service Town for Gaeltacht na nDéise” d. To support for enhanced provision of bus services to enable improved intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity to attract more passengers to public transport and away from use of private motor cars; e. To support the continued development of cycling and walking infrastructure as part of Go Dungarvan Smarter Travel Programme and to support the accessibility of the public realm for vulnerable road/ path users and persons with disabilities; f. To support the delivery of the infrastructural requirements identified for Dungarvan (including amenities and facilities for the community and voluntary sector) subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments; g. Support the development of Dungarvan as a subregional centre for education and training, including lifelong learning, by building on existing links with international third-level education providers and WIT; h. Support investment in flood defence measures. RPO 24
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES86 Key Town Gorey Gorey has experienced sustained growth over the last 20 years and had a population of 9,822 in 2016. It is strategically located with immediate access to the M11/N11 which connects it to Dublin (<90km), Wexford Town (52km) and Rosslare Europort (68km). It is also served by Intercity rail line and bus services which offer commuter services to Dublin. Gorey has become a commuter town for people working in the Greater Dublin Area but is wellplaced to accommodate additional economic growth to become more self-sustaining. It is an important and thriving urban centre providing a range of services to the residents of the town and the wider rural hinterland including primary and post primary education, health care, retail, and employment, cultural and recreational facilities. The town is part of Ireland’s Ancient East and a tourism cluster based on linked coastal resorts.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES87 Attributes • Strong national and international connectivity linking to Rosslare Europort, Dublin City and Airport, towns of County Wexford and Wicklow and the Eastern Economic Corridor • Property solutions to facilitate economic development including the M11 Business park/ Hatch Lab, Gorey Business Park and Ballyloughlan Business Park • A strong vibrant town centre with renowned fashion retail, food and cultural services • Recreational assets of Courtown Harbour and beaches, Marlfield House, attractive countryside, amenities, and good quality of life • Affordable housing capacity on serviced lands within the town • Wastewater treatment capacity capable of accommodating population and economic growth Key Infrastructural Requirements i. N11 Gorey to Enniscorthy including N30 link and N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare. ii. Investment in the Dublin-Gorey-Rosslare Europort rail line to protect the line and increase speed and frequency of services iii. Transport measures through a Local Transport Plan which will include investment in sustainable transport modes, particularly walking and cycling in the town iv. Funding of an intermodal transport node to facilitate sustainable travel patterns v. Delivery of orbital route and bridges over rail line identified in the Gorey Local Area Plan 2017-2023 - Neighbourhood Framework Plans vi. Economic funding package for the further development in partnership with private investors of the M11 Business Campus as a strategic employment location for Gorey vii. Funding to progress the development of the public realm and Market House cultural redevelopment viii. Development of planned Gorey Regional Water Supply program ix. Delivery of educational and amenity facilities to keep pace with recent growth in population and demographic trends x. Delivery of natural gas to the town Gorey a. To strengthen the role of Gorey as an economic driver, leveraging its strategic location and accessibility to Rosslare Europort / proposed connection to the Dublin -Belfast Eastern Economic Corridor (port, rail and road), build upon its inherent strengths including digital connectivity, skills, innovation and enterprise, tourism, culture and retail services; b. To encourage and facilitate strategic employment development to allow Gorey Town to become more self-sufficient in terms of employment including development of opportunity sites and property solutions; c. To strengthen ‘steady state’ investment in existing rail infrastructure and seek investment for improved infrastructure and services to ensure its continued renewal and maintenance to high level in order to provide quality levels of safety, service, accessibility and connectivity; d. To seek investment in sustainable transport measures through a Local Transport Plan to include a public transport hub/inter-change , new road bridges over the railway line (at Ballytegan and at Ramstown/ Knockmullen) and improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure; e. To improve the public realm and attractiveness of the Town Centre as a place to live, work and visit through key urban regeneration projects / environmental improvement schemes; f. To support the delivery of the infrastructural (including education, amenity, social and cultural) requirements identified for Gorey to keep pace with population growth; g. To support the delivery of the infrastructural requirements identified for Gorey subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments. RPO 25
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES88 SOURCE | Statistics derived from analysis of CSO Census 2016 3.6 | Towns & Villages Rural towns and villages are the local drivers for their surrounding areas, their roles and scale vary across the Region from large commuter-based settlements such as Tramore, to towns having a strong service and employment function. A sustainable, infrastructure-led growth approach is encouraged at the appropriate scale for all of these settlement types. Local authorities will categorise settlements and their appropriate growth rates in their development plans to reflect roles, environmental and infrastructural possibilities and limits. Local authorities may take a targeted approach, such as the application of strategic locations for development within a county context. For example, Cork County Council and Clare County Council are considering an enhanced role for Bantry and Kilrush as service centres for West Cork and West Clare within their development plan reviews. Decline and dereliction are key issues facing towns and villages, including those above and below the 1,500-population threshold. Table 3.4 below highlights the performance of settlements in the Region by scale since the last Census. Table 3.4 | Performance of Towns by reference to size Town Scale (Population) Number of towns 2016 Total Persons and % of Total Urban Population 2016 G r o w t h*/ D e c l i n e Trends 2011-2016. 10,000 + 16 583,235 or 61% of total 87.5% growing/ 13% declining 5,000 to 9,999 15 109,271 or 11% of total 80% growing/ 20% declining 1,000 to 4,9999 70 149,129 or 16% of total 77% growing/ 23% declining 500 to 999 94 60,050 or 6% of total 67% growing/ 33% declining Less than 500 201 56,350 or 6% of total 54% growing/ 46% declining While many settlements have recorded growth, a greater proportion of smaller-scale settlements record a decline. Challenges include: • Increasing building vacancy in rural towns and villages • Demise of the historic vibrancy of town and village centres • Loss of services, including schools, pubs, shops, garda stations and post offices • Lack of available sites and services • Preference to live outside settlements
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES89 This is a significant issue nationally, it also requires a major policy response at regional and local authority level. The RSES aims to strengthen the Region’s urban and rural fabric by supporting vibrant towns and villages. Investment will be sought for infrastructure and refurbishment initiatives to support the economic, administrative and social functions of these settlements. A sustainable place framework will enable further renewal of our towns and villages through: • Development of a “New Homes in Small Towns and Villages” initiative across the Region; • Investment in town and village renewal initiatives that improve their capacity, services, environment and liveability to attract population and enterprise growth; • Coordination between local authorities, Irish Water and other stakeholders to deliver investment in the sustainable development of water and wastewater treatment services for rural towns and villages. Development plans include appropriate guidance for new homes in small towns and villages and renewal initiatives to assist an evidence-based approach to identifying appropriate sites for housing, social and physical infrastructure, including water and wastewater infrastructure. Tipperary County Council’s Design and Best Practice Guidelines for Cluster Housing Schemes in Rural Villages is an example of good practice. The RSES recognises the important roles that towns and villages perform along the Region’s three tourism corridors – the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Hidden Heartlands – and aims to develop the infrastructure that sustainably services growth from tourism which also protects the distinct natural, cultural and historic heritage of these towns and villages. The objectives in the RSES for the Region’s urban and rural settlements and networks serve as a support for stakeholders in applying for funding under schemes including the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, Rural Regional Regeneration and Development Fund, Climate Action Fund, Disruptive Technologies Fund and other initiatives (see also Chapter 9, Section 9.3 Investment and Funding). RPO 26 Towns and Villages It is an objective: a. To strongly support strengthening the viability of our towns and rural settlements, as a key objective of the RSES, including the protection of essential rural services such as post offices, shops, and medical facilities; b. To seek investment and initiatives that deliver smart technologies, revitalisation of mixed-use town and village centre streets, and pilot initiatives for regional good practice in renewal and re-use of buildings; c. To seek investment, the timely delivery and the sustainable delivery of holistic infrastructures in towns and villages to support their service role along the region’s tourism corridors consistent with the settlement hierarchies as set out in relevant development plans; d. To ensure that development plans tailor the appropriate planning response by reference to the scale, nature and location of the settlement. Local authorities will identify settlements which can play an enhanced role at sub-regional level to drive the development of their area; e. To support the development of guidelines for cluster housing development within the existing footprint of our rural settlements; f. To support co-ordination between local authorities, Irish Water and other stakeholders to deliver investment in the sustainable development of water and wastewater and other infrastructure for towns and villages, prioritising retrofitting and improvement in the quality of existing services; g. To seek investment in the sustainable development of a “New Homes in Small Towns and Villages” initiative in the Region and the delivery of actions by local authorities, Irish Water, communities and other stakeholders in the provision of services and serviced sites to create “build your own home” opportunities within the existing footprint of rural settlements. Local authorities identify and prioritise the provision and implementation of serviced sites within towns and villages as an objective of development plans. These programmes shall ensure a sustainable and appropriate spread of development between towns and villages within their areas.
- Southern Regional Assembly | RSES90 3.7 | Rural Areas Rural areas are settlements and surrounding rural areas with a population of less than 1,500. The RSES reflects the position of the NPF, that our countryside “is and will continue to be, a living and lived-in landscape focusing on the requirements of rural economies and rural communities, based on agriculture, forestry, tourism and rural enterprise, while at the same time avoiding ribbon and over-spill development from urban areas and protecting environmental qualities.” The NPF and RSES make a distinction between areas under urban influence, i.e. those within the commuter catchment of cities and large towns and centres of employment, and rural areas outside these catchments where a more flexible approach to rural housing will apply. The Core Strategies in the County development plans should identify areas under strong urban influence in the hinterlands of settlements. They will set an appropriate rural housing policy response to avoid ribbon and over-spill development from urban areas, support revitalised towns and villages, achieve sustainable compact growth targets and protect the rural resource for rural communities, including people with an established local connection to the area. RPO 27 addresses the issue of urban-generated housing to restrict the development of rural housing based on clearly defined eligibility criteria. This facilitates the needs of rural communities, whilst controlling pressures for urban-influenced housing demand. The RSES recognises the critical role of rural transport services in providing social and economic connectivity between small villages/rural areas and larger towns. Chapter 6 Connectivity outlines the objectives of the RSES for the provision of rural public transport services to meet the needs of rural communities and support the role of towns and their rural catchments. RPO 27 Rural To support rural economies and rural communities through implementing a sustainable rural housing policy in the Region which provides a distinction between areas under urban influence and other rural areas through the implementation of National Policy Objective 19 regarding Local Authority County Development Plan Core Strategies. Local authorities shall: a. Include policies for the protection of the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements as key priority within Development plans; b. Have regard for the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements; Core Strategies shall identify areas under urban influence and set the appropriate sustainable rural housing policy response which facilitates the provision of single housing in the countryside based on the core consideration of demonstrable economic, social or local exceptional need to live in a rural area and sitting, environmental and design criteria for rural housing in statutory guidelines and plans; c. Have regard for the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements, in rural areas elsewhere, facilitate the sustainable provision of single housing in the countryside based on sitting and design criteria for rural housing in statutory guidelines and plans; d. Provide for flexibility in zoning and density requirements to ensure that rural villages provide attractive easily developed options for housing.
Source Southern Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (January 2020) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.