Overview of the Strategic Planning Areas (SPA) Appendix 2 The Strategic Planning Areas (SPA) are set out in Article 42 and Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) Establishment) Order 2014 to provide for consideration of sub-regional issues. There are three Strategic Planning Areas in the Southern Region; the Mid-West SPA (consisting of Counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary), South-East SPA (consisting of Counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Tipperary) and the South-West SPA (consisting of Counties Cork and Kerry and Cork City Council). Overview of the South-East SPA
Introduction The South-East Strategic Planning Area (SPA) comprises the Counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford with a population of 581,615 (510,333 when southern part of co. Tipperary is excluded as per CSO NUTS III region) is focussed on the Port City of Waterford – Ireland’s oldest city, dating back to its origins as a Viking settlement of 914AD. The South-East through the Ports of Waterford and Rosslare Europort acts as an important Gateway to Ireland from Britain and Continental Europe. Waterford is the largest city in the South-East with a population of 53,504 (59,854 for Metropolitan Area) and is the 5th largest employment centre in the state . Kilkenny City is the 2nd largest settlement in the South- East and 4th largest settlement in the Southern Region with a population of 26,512 and is now the 8th largest employment centre (previously 9th in 2011) in the state. The urban structure in the South-East is characterised by a significant number of medium to large sized towns and cities with 10 settlements with populations in excess of 8,000 persons in 2016 including the Key Towns of Carlow (24,272), Wexford (20,188 and Clonmel (17,140) Dungarvan (9,227 ) and Gorey (9,822). The South-East has strong links to the Greater Dublin Area which is reflected in strong patterns of commuting outof thenorthernpartof thearea, particularlyfromnorth Carlow and north Wexford. The volume of commuters reflects the high quality of Road (M8, M9 and M11) and rail infrastructure on south-north axis . Parts of the South- East also have a strong connection to theMidlands, where Carlow Town is a key service centre for adjoining parts of County Laois. The other strategic Transport routes are from Rosslare and Wexford to Carlow and the Midlands (N80), from Rosslare and Waterford to Limerick and The West (N24 &Rail Line) and fromWaterford to Cork (N25) , which link these Strategic locations and intermediate towns along each route.
International Access • Development of the Ports of Waterford & Rosslare Europort as National Gateways to Continental Europe, to boost the sustainable development of the South-East, supported by a strong logistics system for freight movement focussing on high quality sustainable access routes to the ports along strategic road and rail corridors; • International Access through Waterford Airport. Refer to Waterford MASP and Chapter 6 for specific details and objectives Waterford Metropolitan Area (see Waterford MASP) • Development of a Waterford MASP including implementation by Local Authorities and other public bodies of Population & Employment Targets of +30k people by 2040; • Development of a balanced ‘concentric city’ and improved north-south connectivity; • 50% of all new city housing within existing City & suburb footprints; • Development of University Hospital Waterford (UHW) for the predicted expansion in population in period to 2040; • Providing improved Quality of Life with enhanced Amenity & Recreational Space/Facilities. Networks in South-East • Collective Capacity of the Waterford Metropolitan AreaandKeyTownsofCarlow, Clonmel,Dungarvan, Gorey, Kilkenny &Wexford as alternative locations/ choices to the Greater Dublin Area; • Develop the Eastern Corridor – Extending the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor to Rosslare Europort including Gorey-Enniscorthy-Wexford with strong connectivity to New Ross, Waterford/ Belview Port;
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