2020 Vision for Athy - Entire Document - Kildare.ie

Centres (e.g. Athy) within the Hinterland, as outlined in the Strategic Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin
Area (see below). To counteract the development of unsustainable long distance commuting to the Dublin Area
the NSS requires that strong county towns adjacent to the Greater Dublin Area must aim at their own economic
self-sufficiency to minimise commuting and to support the surrounding areas. This is to be achieved through
sustaining a good employment base and a wide range of shopping facilities and social infrastructure.
Further to its role as part of the Greater Dublin Area Athy is identified in the policy catalogue for the “Dublin and
Mid-East Region” as having urban strengthening opportunities. Towns with this quality are located on important
economic and transport corridors or in other strategic locations and have a capacity to grow. These towns must
become a focus for the settlement policies of local authorities and be incorporated as such in county development
plans.
NSS: Regional Spatial Development and Economic Activity
The NSS also provides guidance regarding a regional approach to the spatial development of the country. In this
regard, two of the key points are of particular relevance to Athy:
“Frameworks for spatial planning of cities around the country and their catchments must be developed
and implemented. This involves addressing the planning issues for metropolitan and hinterland areas
of cities in an integrated way. Cities and surrounding counties must put in place sustainable and
public transport-centred settlement and development strategies within the planning system to support
continued progress and competitiveness into the future.” (NSS, page 74)
“The county town and large town structure must be strengthened. This will be achieved through
regional and county settlement and planning policies. These should support the towns, as both
generators of business activity and delivery points for the key services that people need if they are to
continue living in or be drawn to a particular area.” (NSS, page 74)
Also, The NSS sees economic activity as central to the aim of achieving spatial balance. An overall spatial
framework is advocated, which would suggest in economic terms, inter alia:
“Complementary roles for other towns, villages and rural areas; various medium sized towns in each
region will act as “local capitals” providing a range of services and opportunities for employment.
Within the spatial framework proposed by the NSS, rural potential will draw upon local economic
strengths, supported by a stronger structure of smaller towns and villages as a focus for economics
and social activity and residential development.” (NSS, page 98)
Athy’s relatively isolated location on the edge of the Greater Dublin Area, and its importance to its rural
hinterland, means that it can become an economic development centre in its own right.
National Development Plan
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 (NDP) is a framework strategy, which will guide development in
Ireland over the plan period. It has a number of key national objectives:
• Continuing sustainable national economic and employment growth.
• Consolidating and improving Ireland’s international competitiveness.
• Fostering balanced regional development.
• Promoting social inclusion. (NDP, Page 33)
NDP: Athy and the S&E Region
Athy is located in the S&E (Southern & Eastern) Region (NUTS II Classification), or the Mid-East Region
according to the NUTS III Classification. The NDP only contains primary objectives for the NUTS II
Classification and the relevant objectives to this Study include:
• Consolidate and build on its recent economic performance.
• Further develop counter-balances to Dublin.
Athy IFPLUT Study 13 Final Report December 2004