06. Economic Development, Enterprise & Tourism

Aims:

• To provide for the future well-being of the residents of Athy by adopting an asset-based approach to economic and employment growth in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
• To achieve a reduction in the levels of commuting from the town by ensuring that lands are appropriately zoned, and a framework is in place to attract greater employment opportunities including in the sectors identified for growth by fostering competitiveness and innovation within a high quality physical environment.
• To provide a greater focus on social infrastructure and the quality of life of the residents of Athy in order to increase the attractiveness of the town as a place to live, work, visit and invest in.
• To provide for an improved ‘tourist offer’ and associated entrepreneurial spin-offs by identifying and supporting targeted areas for investment over the life of the Plan and beyond.

6.1 Policy Context

The National Planning Framework (NPF) sets out the development of a strong economy supported by enterprise, innovation and skills as a National Strategic Outcome (NSO5) that will depend on creating places that foster enterprise and innovation and attract investment and talent and states that this can be achieved by building regional economic drivers. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) expands on this aim by encouraging an asset-based approach to development and outlining various ‘growth enablers’ for the Core Region in which Athy is located. This approach, which is central to the Economic Development Strategy (see Section 6.3), places emphasis on utilising the town’s existing built and natural heritage assets to develop its tourism and recreation sector.

 

The Economic Development Hierarchy as outlined in the Kildare County Development Plan has described Self-Sustaining Growth Towns like Athy as having a moderate level of jobs and services. In order to promote future economic development and employment growth it has identified specific sectoral opportunities for the town in the areas of tourism, bloodstock, manufacturing, logistics and food and beverage products.

6.2 Employment Profile

Census 2016 recorded that there were 2,147 jobs based in Athy which accounts for 3.4% of all jobs in the county. Employment in Athy ranges across various sectors with the largest being recorded in the area of Education, Human Health and Social Work Activities, providing 33.9% of all jobs in the town in 2016 (see Figure 6.1 below). This is followed by employment in the Wholesale, Retail Trade, Transportation and Accommodation Sector at 29.3%. Together these sectors reflect Athy’s status as an important retail and service centre in south Kildare. Significant manufacturing employers in the town include Tegral Building Products Limited, Minch Malt and Athy International Concentrates.

Figure 6.1: Employment by Category for the Settlement of Athy in 2016

Source: Kildare Census 2016 Profile: Commuting (KCC and LCDC)
 

Of the 3,157 people that Census 2016 recorded to be in employment and living in Athy, 29% work in the town, 21% work elsewhere in the county and 28% commute out of Kildare. An additional 1,242 workers commute into Athy for employment every day. Of these, 25% (542) commute from elsewhere in Kildare and the 33% (700) commute from outside the county. In this regard, it is noted that Athy is relatively proximate to several neighbouring employment centres such as Carlow, Portlaoise and Kilkenny.

Census 2016 Athy recorded a net daily loss in working population of -1,010 workers indicating the town’s jobs ratio to be 0.68. This is the fourth highest for any settlement in the county after Naas, Maynooth and Leixlip14. However, represents a small decline on the level recorded by Census 2011 when the jobs ratio was found to be 0.73. Furthermore, this figure it should be noted that there are this figure indicates that there are not enough jobs for every worker living in the town i.e. for every 100 workers there was only 63 jobs based in the town in 2016.

6.3 Economic Development Strategy

A key principle underpinning this Plan is the pursuit of sustainable economic development opportunities to provide for an increase in the number of jobs based in the town. For Athy to fulfil its designated role in the economic hierarchy of the county and become a more self-sustaining settlement, the town must aim to increase its jobs ratio over the longer term. Therefore, the Economic Development Strategy targets 1,330 extra jobs and a projected jobs ratio target of 0.70 for the town by 2027. The jobs ratio aligns with the 0.70 jobs ratio target for the county as outlined in the current County Development Plan.

Table 6.1: Future Employment Requirements

Source: Kildare Census 2016 Profile: Employment Industry and Occupation (KCC and LCDC)

* The projected labour force participation of 64.1% for 2027 was based on a targeted average participation rate recorded for County Kildare in Census 2016.

** Represents a proportional increase as a derivative of population growth whilst also incorporating a 4.2 percentage point increase in the labour force participation rate.

*** This figure is calculated by applying a targeted 11.4% unemployment rate and a 0.70 jobs ratio to the projected total resident labour force of 5,607. It is noted that the unemployment rate for Athy in 2016 was recorded in the Census as 26.6%, a figure far exceeding the county average of 11.4% in 2016. It is projected that this figure will fall to the 2016 county average by 2027.

Whilst all employment generating activities in the town will be encouraged, the key areas of focus for development opportunities will be in the sectors of tourism, bloodstock, manufacturing, logistics, and food/beverage products, as provided for in the County Development Plan.

6.3.1 Asset-Based Approach to Development

Key to the delivery of the Economic Development Strategy for Athy is the pursuit of an asset-based approach to development, where the town’s social, economic and natural/built heritage capital are viewed as existing environmental resources. These assets have the ability to accommodate changing roles and functions, which, if fully utilised and subject to targeted investment, can sustainably support an increased level of residential population and employment activity, whilst also providing an enhanced level of social infrastructure, amenity, and design quality. Such an approach to development is multi-faceted in nature, ranging from supporting the full utilisation of existing brownfield lands and vacant buildings to promoting the expansion of further education and training facilities, a key piece of existing social infrastructure in the town. Whilst the Plan incorporates a series of measures to support the aforementioned areas, the primary focus of this asset-based approach to development will be on the rejuvenation of the town centre and on improving Athy’s tourist and amenity infrastructure.

In many ways the regeneration of the town centre and the development of the tourist offer and amenity infrastructure in the town are interlinked. For example, a transformed public realm in the historic core will improve its attractiveness to both residents and visitors alike, whilst the development of the Barrow Blueway route will not only attract tourists but also provide an important local amenity. Such proposals are discussed in more detail in Section 6.5, Section 9.4 and in Appendix 1: Athy Urban Regeneration Framework.

6.3.2 Availability of Zoned Land

One of the key enablers in attracting potential investment and employment to Athy will be the availability of appropriately zoned lands. Under the Athy Town Development Plan (TDP) 2012 – 2018 approximately 105.2 hectares of land is zoned for employment, industry and enterprise purposes in Athy. This figure does not include such land uses as Town Centre, Retail, Leisure and Amenity which would also provide an element of employment generation. According to a survey conducted for the preparation of the Plan, 62.3 hectares of lands zoned for employment purposes in the Town Development Plan remain undeveloped. This figure solely relates to lands zoned for employment such as industrial warehousing and commercial uses.

Table 6.2: Survey of Employment Lands zoned under the Athy TDP 2012-18

Source: KCC Planning Department Survey, August 2020

*The term ‘employment uses’ relates to the lands zoned Q: Enterprise and Employment, R: Retail and Commercial, H, H1, H2, H4: Industrial and Warehousing and H3: Light Industrial and Commercial in the Athy Town Development Plan 2012 – 2018.

** This figure includes the developed part of Athy Business Campus, Kilkenny Road (2.02 ha) which was determined to have a vacancy rate of circa 50% (i.e. 1.01 ha).

Having regard to;

1. the quantum of lands built-out;
2. the level of occupancy as noted in Table 6.2;
3. the projected increase in employment of 1,330 persons to the end of the plan period in 2027; and
4. providing that all lands are developed for low-medium density type employment (40m2 per employee),

It is projected that Athy will require 53.2 hectares of undeveloped land to be zoned for employment purposes ¹⁵. This figure solely relates to lands zoned for employment such as industrial warehousing and commercial and does not consider potential job creation on other lands zoned for town centre, retail or leisure and amenity uses.

Table 6.3 provides further information in relation to the location of the main employment areas in Athy and the quantity of zoned undeveloped land available for employment uses. As noted previously, in addition to the main employment zoning categories such as Enterprise, Industry and

Warehousing, there are other zoning categories which allow for employment creation in relation to leisure activities and various commercial uses. Reference should be made to Chapter 11 for further detail in relation to the individual land use zonings throughout the town.

Table 6.3: Development of Employment Lands zoned under the Athy TDP 2021 – 2027

 

Note: This table is indicative of the main employment zones and their employment opportunities. For further detail in relation to zoned land, refer to Chapter 11: Implementation and Map 6: Land Use Zoning Objectives.

6.3.3 Industrial Development

There continues to be a need for a diverse range of employment opportunities in Athy including in the area of manufacturing. It is therefore important to retain existing established industrial based development and also to expand further industrial activities appropriate to the town. The industrial and warehousing zoning objective allows for industrial development and a range of related uses that could be suitably located within industrial estates and enterprise lands within the town.

6.3.4 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)

The development of small and medium scale projects with longer-term employment potential are essential to the future development of Athy. Emphasis should be placed on recognised best practice approaches to stimulating SME activity include incubation units, clustering of similar such enterprises and networking. Small and medium enterprises may include manufacturing, food and beverage production, services, repairs, agriculturally related enterprises and logistics.

6.3.5 Home-Based Economic Activity

Working from home can make a very positive contribution towards reducing car travel and increasing the vibrancy of an area and in recent times, with the increasing availability of high-speed broadband, this has become a more viable and popular option for many people. While this Plan supports the concept of home working, it is important that such activity does not result in the disamenity of a predominantly residential area and therefore employment use in a dwelling should be restricted to the occupier(s) of the dwelling and such use should be subordinate to the main use of the dwelling as a residence.

In addition to home working, this Plan supports the concept of a live-work unit which can be defined as a single unit within a building that is both a place to live and a place of business or commerce. The development of live-work units can lead to a more sustainable land use pattern, by providing for a mix of uses, ensuring a balance between day and nighttime activity and reducing commuting.

6.3.6 Incubation Units / Workshops / Business Starter Units

The provision of appropriate infrastructure is important in creating the conditions conducive to enterprise and employment creation. Incubation units, workshops and business starter units provide small and medium businesses with a base to engage in the production, research and development and enterprise activities. Having regard to current trends and forecasts it is considered that there will be demand for smaller units c.50-80m2 providing for greater letting ability and lower rents. Kildare County Council will continue to work pro-actively with national, regional and local development bodies and agencies including the Local Enterprise Office and the Kildare Local Community Development Committee to support such start-up enterprises.

6.3.7 Athy Food, Drink and Skills Innovation Hub

Athy Food, Drinks and Skills Innovation Hub is one of ten connected co-working zones in the Mid- East Region and is a flagship project of Kildare Community Network Co. Ltd, a Kildare County Council not for profit enterprise development company. The initiative was set-up as a response to the announcement in 2018 that Coca Cola would close its Athy production facility with the loss of 85 jobs. In establishing the Hub, Kildare County Council and County Kildare Community Network Co. Ltd with the support from Coca Cola will seek to fill the employment void in the town but also address the lack of food incubation space in the county. Accordingly, the project aims to develop an innovation-rich environment to accelerate job creation and enterprise development through investment in people, collaboration and clustering, thereby facilitating the development of scalable, sustainable and profitable food businesses across the region. The initiative has selected the former Model School as the future home for hub and has recently been awarded funding by the Regional Development Enterprise Fund (RDEF) to progress to the design and planning stage. It is considered that this is a critical project for the town, not only in fostering regeneration and economic development but also finding a high quality use for what is a prominent historic building and a protected structure in Athy.

6.3.8 Equine Industry

The equine industry represents a significant employment generator in County Kildare. The Council recognises the importance of the bloodstock and sport horse industry in the county and will encourage its further development in the Athy area.

6.3.9 Improving Quality of Life in Athy

Quality of life issues are increasingly being viewed as an important consideration for both multinational and indigenous companies investing in new enterprise operations. The IDA recognises the potential of placemaking in helping to enhance Ireland’s attractiveness to foreign direct investment (FDI). Indeed, the agency notes that ‘the creation of urban environments that offer good quality of life is important in allowing investors to attract and retain the talent necessary to support their establishment and growth. Placemaking offers the opportunity to differentiate Ireland from other locations by delivering attractive urban areas in which to reside.’¹⁶

Factors that make a town attractive for both businesses and their employees are therefore considered to play a determining part in securing the delivery of inward investment to the town, consequently realising the successful implementation of the Economic Development Strategy.

 

 

6.4 Non-Conforming Uses

Throughout the town there are uses that do not conform to the zoning objectives for that area. These are uses which:

1. Were in existence on 1st October 1964,
2. Have valid permissions or,
3. Have no permission and which may or may not be the subject of enforcement proceedings.

Extensions to and improvement of existing small scale commercial/employment uses referred to in Categories 1 and 2 above may be permitted in principle where such uses contribute to the economic and social well-being of the area as a whole and do not inhibit the development of adjoining lands in conformance with the land use zoning objective. Where the continued expansion or operation of such uses is incompatible with the predominant land use zoning of the area, they will be encouraged by the planning authority to relocate to more suitably zoned land.

 

6.5 Tourism

Considering the richness of Athy’s built and natural heritage and its highly accessible location by road, rail and canal, the town is in an excellent position to pursue the principle of asset-based development (see section 6.3) to develop its tourism potential and provide for locally based employment opportunities. The development of tourism amenity infrastructure in Athy will also contribute to improving the quality of life of its residents by assisting in the regeneration of the historic urban core as well as the protection and enhancement of the town’s green infrastructure.

Figure 6.1: Image of Late Medieval Athy in the 1500’s

Credit: Mark A. Guernon (2013)

Kildare County Council will seek to leverage the economic and social opportunity which the growth of the tourism sector can bring to both Athy and the wider surrounding rural hinterland. Accordingly, the Council will look favourably on tourism development proposals and especially on supporting tourism infrastructure, which is consistent with the proper planning and sustainable development of the town. For this reason, the Local Area Plan has incorporated the Clanard Court Hotel into the plan area and designated the site for Tourism purposes under the land use zoning matrix (see Chapter 11). Furthermore, the Council recognises that there are particular opportunities within the town to develop niche tourism including water sports, walking, angling, eco-tourism, heritage tourism, golfing, culinary tourism and other leisure pursuits including passive recreation.

 

6.5.1 Waterways Tourism – Boating, Fishing, Walking, Cycling, Canoeing and Nature

Given the location, extent and quality of both the River Barrow and the Grand Canal Barrow Line, there is enormous potential for the development of waterways tourism throughout the town and in the surrounding areas to harness the benefits of the proposed projects such as the Barrow Blueway. This route will initially run alongside the existing Barrow Line of the Grand Canal from Lowtown to Athy, a distance of 45 km with 9 locks ¹⁷.

The development of the Barrow Blueway is being led by Waterways Ireland and follows the preparation of several environmental and economic studies into the development of waterways tourism along the River Barrow. The Barrow Corridor

Recreational, Tourism and Commercial Product Identification Study (2012) noted the ‘undeveloped potential’ of the Grand Canal – Barrow Navigation as a multi-use tourism resource. The study identifies the importance of Athy as a key destination along the river and sets out recommendations for the development of activity hubs and tourism trails. Such Activity Hubs are places where visitors can access a range of activities including water contact sports and swimming. The study proposes the development of looped walks and cycle trails from the hubs along with the development of canoe guiding on the river/canal. The study notes the proximity of Athy Heritage Centre to the river and advocates the development of mooring facilities and jetty and the provision of a greater sense of welcome to Athy including information about the heritage centre.

It is considered that a longstanding obstacle to achieving improved utilisation of the waterways in the town is the deficit in safe and convenient mooring facilities. Boats and barges are being restricted in their ability to moor in Athy and this is a major disincentive to considering the town as a stopover location. The development of a marina, or at least the expansion of the existing mooring facilities is an essential piece of infrastructure that is required in order to maximise the possibilities presented by the increase of tourism activities based around Athy’s waterways with the completion of the Barrow Blueway.

Kildare County Council is committed to working with Waterways Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in order to sensitively and appropriately harness the potential of the canal and river Barrow as a tourist attraction to local, national and international boat users and for fishing and walking/cycling and nature enthusiasts.

The Council will support Waterways Ireland to develop the Barrow Blueway along the full length of the Barrow Line and the Barrow Navigation system in County Kildare. However, it is noted that should any works be required in order to provide amenity infrastructure and other facilities along the river and canal banks that a full Appropriate Assessment (AA) may need to be carried out ¹⁸.

 

6.5.2 Cultural and Heritage Tourism

Athy boasts a vibrant arts and culture sector with the Heritage Centre on Emily Square hosting regular exhibitions and cultural events along with the Community Arts Facility in the Methodist Church on Woodstock Street. Another key cultural event is the Bluegrass Jamboree held in the town every July. Now extending over three days this celebration of bluegrass music has been taking place since 1991. Kildare County Council through its Arts Office will continue to support the arts and cultural development within the town over the lifetime of the Plan and beyond.

Athy is located within Ireland’s Ancient East; Fáilte Ireland’s marketing platform which promotes the 15 eastern counties of Ireland as a unique destination steeped in 5,000 years of history and culture. The town’s medieval street layout and architectural character provides a solid basis for the development of heritage-based tourism, an activity which according to Fáilte Ireland, the majority of tourists coming from overseas partake.

A key destination is the Heritage Centre – Shackleton Museum, which is home to the only permanent exhibition anywhere devoted to Ernest Shackleton, the famous Antarctic explorer. Plans are being progressed to redevelop and extend the Heritage Centre to provide an enhanced visitor experience (see Figure 6.2 below). This project is very important in terms of improving the tourism offer of the town and creating synergies with the water-based activities that will increase with the development of the Barrow Blueway.

Figure 6.2: Proposed Redevelopment of Athy Heritage Centre - Shackleton Museum

6.5.3 Sports and Recreation Tourism

The annual TriAthy event has grown in popularity since its establishment in 2006 and has become an important feature in the sporting calendar of the town. Kildare County Council through Kildare Sports Partnership supports the event’s further development. Significant potential exists to develop and improve the amenities and linkages between important public open spaces in the town such as the People’s Park, the lands surrounding Woodstock Castle and the Dominican lands. Such proposals are discussed further in Section 9.4 Strategic Open Space and in the Urban Regeneration Framework (Appendix 1).

6.5.4 Tourism Development Opportunities

This Plan has identified a number of projects and proposals which, if realised, over the life of the plan and beyond have the potential to have a transformative effect in the improvement of Athy’s tourist offer in the town and the promotion of the town as a key visitor destination.