4.4 Economic Development Hierarchy
The Sectoral Opportunities in Table 4.1 – Economic Development Hierarchy Table seems a bit arbitrary due to the grouping by level in the settlement hierarchy.
Similar to our observation in relation to section 2.15 in Chapter 2 Core Strategy, sub-division depending on whether towns are in the Dublin MASP or not would provide clarity.
Though only listed for Self-Sustaining Growth Towns, there is no reason why ICT, professional services and logistics shouldn't also be sectoral opportunities for Celbridge and Kilcock in addition to those listed for Self-Sustaining Towns (biotechnology, knowledge based digital enterprise, tourism, food and beverage products).
The Draft Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029 fails to define much of a strategy beyond what the Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy says in relation to Key Towns and Strategic Development Areas in the MASP. The statement that "The focus is on achieving critical mass in the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) area (Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock)." in section 4.4.1 Strategic Development Areas in the MASP may relate mostly to the proposed new research & technology park adjoining Maynooth University, the Kildare Innovation Campus (former Hewlett Packard site between Celbridge and Leixlip) and the Intel/Collinstown site in Leixlip. Section 4.4.6 Self-Sustaining Towns states that Celbridge, Monasterevin, Clane and Kilcock "require contained growth, focusing on driving investment in services, employment growth and infrastructure while balancing housing delivery" and that "Growth shall be focused on consolidation and inclusion of policies in relation to improvements in services and employment provision." It is not enough to acknowledge the "high levels of population growth and a weak employment base", reliance on "other areas for employment and/or services" and the requirement for "targeted ‘catch-up’ investment" in order for Celbridge, Monasterevin, Clane and Kilcock to become more self-sustaining. The Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029 needs concrete objectives that would have real impact for Self-Sustaining Towns.