Objective RE O27
This objective to "Encourage job creation in the Self-Sustaining Towns of Celbridge, Monasterevin, Clane and Kilcock and with particular focus on the economic areas of biotechnology, digital enterprise, tourism, distilling and brewing industries and food and beverage products, in order for them to become more self-sustainable and balanced considering they have experienced rapid population growth with high levels of commuter focused residential expansion without equivalent increases in jobs and services. Also, encourage new businesses to develop and embrace the diversity of opportunities that exist in these locations." is too vague.
Section 4.4.6 Self-Sustaining Towns needs to include specific objectives for each town that demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities for each town. Failure to confront the need for credible economic and job creation strategies for Celbridge, Monasterevin, Clane and Kilcock will prolong the established pattern of unsustainable development in these towns. The Kildare County development Plan 2023-2029 needs to demonstrate that there is a shared understanding regarding how these towns will develop and that Kildare County Council is prioritising the goal to make the towns "more self-sustainable". A generic objective covering all four towns fails to do this.