1.1 Introduction & Context

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1.1 Introduction & Context

Tralee is the capital town and main administrative, retail, health, education and service centre for County Kerry and provides a large portion of the county’s recreational facilities, culture, archaeological and architectural heritage. The recent establishment of the Munster Technological University has cemented the role of Tralee as pivotal regional centre. The health of the town is often reflective of the health of the county. It is therefore critical to maintain the vibrancy and vitality of Tralee, from a commercial, social, cultural and environmental viewpoint.

The focus of this plan prioritises action on Climate Change across all strategies and reflects the ambition of the National Planning Framework(NPF) and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy(RSES) for compact growth through the revitalisation of the town centre as a priority, the development and renewal of brownfield and underutilized sites, increasing the residential, employment and social opportunities available in the town core and the expansion of sustainable transport opportunities in the town.  A number of key investment projects are underway including large-scale National and European investment in projects under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund Project Positioning Tralee as A Regional Economic Driver and Destination Town, supported by the European Regional Development Fund Tralee TC West Masterplan and The Island of Geese regeneration project, Tralee Active Travel Project, Failte Ireland Destination Town Programme, and significant investment in social housing programmes, roads, water & waste water infrastructure. These projects are supported by initiatives including Purple Flag status (awarded in 2017), Enterprise Town competition (2017), RGDATA Pilot Town Centre Health Check study (2017), The Tralee Public Realm Plan, (2018), and the revitalisation and rejuvenation of Denny Street.

The projects, infrastructure improvements and initiatives which are listed above aim to enhance the Tralee experience, increase footfall, business and make Tralee more accessible and attractive to shoppers, visitors and investors. Tralee is a key Economic driver for the county and a balanced approach to sustainable development will be applied in order to maximise Tralee’s potential.

As a tourism destination town, Tralee outperforms many of its rivals in terms of accommodation supply, diversity of attractions and cultural attributes. Nestled between the Slieve Mish Mountain and Tralee Bay it is a prime location for business and events as it has the infrastructure and natural beauty that any visitor could appreciate. It is an ambition of this plan to strengthen the relationship of Tralee Town as central to the Tralee Bay Area on the Wild Atlantic Way, the blue flag beaches to the west and north and the long-distance walking routes and emerging greenways that converge in Tralee. Along with other centres in the County Tralee will also seek to enhance its reputation as a conference location and will facilitate the development of facilities to support this.

1.1.1 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), Key Town – Tralee

Tralee has been identified as a large scale ‘Key Town’ in the RSES and is highlighted as one of six towns with significant population scale that are “major centres for delivery of public services, with large hospitals, third level institutions, courts, local and national government functions as well as economic and business roles and higher order retail functions. These Key Towns are self-sustaining regional drivers and have a comparable structure to the five regional growth centres identified in the NPF.”  The RSES also identifies Tralee as an economic driver on the strategic road network and Atlantic Economic Corridor and a key settlement in the Kerry Hub Knowledge Triangle with Killarney and Killorglin. 

Tralee’s population including suburbs is 23,691 (CSO 2016), which is one of only two towns along that Atlantic Economic Corridor with a population of over 20,000 inhabitants. It is an objective of this plan to facilitate for growth of more than 30% by 2040 for Tralee in line with RPO11a.

RPO 11a - Key Towns

Local Authorities are supported in targeting growth of more than 30% for each Key Town subject to capacity analysis and sustainable criteria under Section 3.3 A Tailored Approach, RPO 2 Local Authority Core Strategies and the sustainable requirements under the following sub sections of RPO 9 Key Towns. The appropriate level of growth is to be determined by the Core Strategy of Development Plans

The many challenges facing Tralee include the evolving nature of urban economic models that position town centres as no longer just retail centres, but more as broad-based resources that provide a wide range of employment, leisure, tourism and community opportunities.

Therefore, creating the environment for diverse sustainable economic growth, income and employment is a critical component for the sustainable development of Tralee.  It is about promoting growth that is broad-based; creating a business environment that competes with the best internationally; and ensuring everyone has access, including future generations, to the opportunities that growth brings. To maintain its status as a regional economic driver, the sustainable strategic growth of Tralee shall be planned for in accordance with RSES RPO 11 and RPO 15. 

The RSES RPO 15 identifies the strategic pathway for the sustainable development of Tralee:

  1. To sustainably strengthen the role of Tralee as a self-sustaining, regional economic driver, key settlement in the Kerry Hub Knowledge Triangle and on the Atlantic Economic Corridor and build on inherent strengths as an administrative capital, centre of skills and education, innovation, enterprise growth, culture and tourism accessible to regional airport, port, rail and strategic road network assets;
  2. To seek investment to sustainably support strengthening these attributes and infrastructures subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments, including key inter-regional   connectivity (transport networks and digital) on the strategic road network to the Cork and Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Areas, the Atlantic Economic Corridor and the Kerry Hub Knowledge Triangle;
  3. To strengthen ‘steady state’ investment in existing rail infrastructure and seek investment for improved infrastructure and services to ensure its continued renewal and maintenance to high level in order to provide quality levels of safety, service, accessibility and connectivity.
  4. Future growth of the town should be planned for on a phased basis in consultation with the local authority and Irish Water to ensure that sufficient wastewater capacity is accounted for and that further growth avoids negative impacts on the nutrient sensitive Lee Estuary.
  5. To support higher and further education and training investment, and investment in the development of IT Tralee’s campus and R&D facilities.
  6. To support the regeneration of opportunity sites, such as the Island of Geese, Fels Point, and underused, vacant or derelict town centre lands for residential and enterprise development to facilitate population and employment growth.
  7. To support the development and delivery of infrastructure   for   the   delivery   of   additional   employment through modern office, enterprise and manufacturing space.
  8. To support Tralee as an urban coastal tourism destination while protecting the natural resources on which it relies.
1.1.2 County Development Plan

This section forms part of the main County plan and hence all overarching themes, policies and objectives contained in each chapter in Volume 1 shall apply to Tralee. Further information is contained within each relevant chapter. The land use zoning map relates to the boundary of the former Town Council. The Tralee Environs are contained in the Tralee Municipal District Local Area Plan 2018-2024.

1.1.3 Vision and Strategy

The long-term vision for Tralee is to enhance its position as a regional economic driver and a ‘Destination Town’ that is competitive nationally and internationally in attracting investment, talent, enterprise and visitors.  Tralee’s pathway to transition and regeneration will enhance its competitiveness in attracting new residents, visitors and national and international investment. This will be achieved through increased high-quality employment spaces, residential opportunities and the development of an excellent quality environment, by means of strategic investment in office development, public realm improvements, leisure and amenity areas and strengthening Tralee’s sense of place and identity. 

Tralee should develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner aligned with the National Climate Action Plan 2019 and the policy initiatives and objectives of the European Commission’s ‘Green Deal’.

This plan supports the policies and projects contained in the Urban Regeneration Development Fund grant for Tralee entitled; ‘Positioning Tralee as a Regional Economic Driver and Destination town’ including the four main themes;

  • Plan for Sustainable Growth
  • Create a sense of place through the delivery of an attractive, cohesive and sustainable urban destination
  • Conserve and animate Tralee’s Rich Heritage
  • Tralee ‘Destination Town’/University Town

In order to achieve the above themes, it is important to: 

Plan for Sustainable Growth

  • Sustainably strengthen the role of Tralee in accordance with the RSES as a Key town and economic driver in the region and build upon inherent strengths as a key settlement in the Kerry Hub Knowledge Triangle and on the Atlantic Economic Corridor.
  • Sustainably plan for future growth of the town on a phased basis in consultation with Irish Water to ensure that the timely provision of wastewater treatment infrastructure is provided for and that future growth does not adversely affect European Sites.
  • Seek a pathway to transition and sustainable regeneration for Tralee which is consistent with the National Climate Action Plan 2019, European Commission policy initiatives that align with the European ‘Green Deal’ priorities.    
  • Prepare and implement a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to facilitate greater permeability, connectivity and universal access for alternative means of transport in support of Tralee as a ‘10-minute town’ by strengthening in a sustainable manner the linkages between the town and the waterfront,  Ballyseedy Woods, The Greenway and the Town Park, Munster Technological University, Kerry College of Further Education and Training, schools, Kerry Technology Park, residential neighbourhoods, with priority given to vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.  
  • Sustainably strengthen the settlement through investment in key pieces of infrastructure such as the completion of the northern relief road and additional parking facilities for locals and visitors alike. 

Create a sense of place through the delivery of an attractive, cohesive and sustainable urban destination.

  • Aim to ensure that the town is attractive, liveable, vibrant, with well-designed urban places that have diverse and integrated communities enjoying a high quality of life and which promote a sense of place and personal wellbeing.
  • Strengthen Tralee’s existing Green Infrastructure and facilitate its expansion and ensure Tralee Town Park is sustainably and appropriately enhanced so that it may serve to improve quality of life for all.
  • Create a new vibrant mixed-use urban quarter in the Town Centre.

Conserve and animate Tralee’s Rich Heritage

  • Reaffirm the critical role of the town centre and its heritage status.  Implement positive measures for its continued vibrancy, using its attractive built form as a positive factor while acknowledging the strong level of protection for buildings and structures necessary to maintain its character. 
  • Maintain the town’s character and setting and ensure its built and natural heritage is protected from inappropriate development. 
  • Provide an improved quality of life for its residents and ensure growth in population and services is maximised to a level which will maintain a vibrant day time and night-time economy within the town, while maintaining and enhancing its physical assets, unique character and natural attributes
  • Ensure development is of a high visual and architectural standard to contribute positively to the attractiveness of the streetscapes and enhance the attractiveness of the town to both residents and visitors alike.

Tralee ‘Destination Town’/University Town

  • Ensure underused/vacant and infill/brownfield sites are prioritised for re-use and re-development in support of Tralee’s role as a Key Town and economic driver in the region and as a University Town. 
  • Fully capitalise on Tralee’s location, as the gateway to The Dingle Peninsula and the Tralee-Fenit Greenway on the Wild Atlantic Way. Enhance and expand the tourism function of Tralee as a Destination town and to ensure it maintains its key role as an economic driver in the area while maintaining the balance between economic success and protection of the local environment.
  • Promote and foster a growing sense of innovation, diversity and entrepreneurship throughout the town and wider region.
  • Sustainably support the growth of Tralee as exemplar in the provision of 3rd Level Education.

The above regeneration proposals build on the strategic plans developed for the town and the substantial and long-term collaborations and consultations with state agencies, the education and commercial sectors and the wider community.  These interventions and actions have been chosen specially to meet a number of challenges facing Tralee and to realise the opportunities available to the town. 

The strategic vision for Tralee, coupled with the interventions identified target both the existing challenges facing the town and the evolving nature of urban economic models that position town centres as not mere retail centres, but more as broad-based resources that provide a wide range of employment, leisure and community opportunities. The PMCA report (April 2020)[1] and the UK based ‘Centre for Cities’ study (2019)[2] indicate that the fundamental problem is the general lack of high-quality employment within or close to city/town centres that are struggling: delivering more high-quality office-based employment in these locations, combined with stronger amenities, will help to catalyse retailing and make for more attractive, competitive and sustainable city/town centres.

The vision for Tralee builds on the strong locational, functional, natural and built heritage attributes that Tralee enjoys, to maximise the economic growth potential of the town both in the medium and longer term.

Tralee Town Strategic Objectives

It is an objective of the Council to:

TR 1

Plan for and facilitate the development of Tralee in accordance with RSES RPO 11 & RPO15.

TR 2

Sustainably strengthen the role of Tralee as a self-sustaining regional economic driver, key settlement in  the Kerry  Hub  Knowledge  Triangle  and  on  the  Atlantic  Economic  Corridor  and  build  on  inherent  strengths as an administrative capital, centre of skills and education, innovation, enterprise growth, culture and  tourism which is  accessible  to  regional  airports,  ports,  rail  and strategic road network assets.

TR 3

Seek   investment   to   sustainably   support   strengthening the Towns resources, attributes and infrastructures subject to the outcome of the planning process and environmental assessments, including key  inter-regional   connectivity   (transport   networks   and   digital) on the strategic road network to the Cork and Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Areas, the Atlantic Economic  Corridor  and  the  Kerry  Hub  Knowledge  Triangle.

TR 4

Support the strategic vision and implementation of the projects outlined in the URDF submission “Positioning Tralee as a Regional Economic Driver and Destination Town”’.

TR 5

Position Tralee as an “investor ready” nationally and internationally major competitive centre. Ensure it remains a driver of county and regional prosperity by harnessing its strategic location and its proximity to the Atlantic Economic Corridor; its strong urban structure, expanding tourism retail, service and accommodation base; and other competitive advantages.

TR 6

Transform Tralee into an exemplar University Town and centre of excellence for 3rd level education for creating, attracting and retaining talent.

TR 7

Establish Tralee as a ‘Destination Town’, maximising the opportunity for Tralee as the centre of the Tralee Bay Area, on the Wild Atlantic Way, as a Gateway to The Dingle Peninsula, long distance walking routes and emerging Greenways. 

TR 8

Strengthen Tralee’s sense of place and identity as a highly attractive place to live, work, study and visit with the continuation of transformative urban regeneration and public realm spaces.

TR 9

Develop Tralee as an innovative, climate resilient, environmentally sustainable, low carbon town consistent with the National Climate Action Plan 2019, European Commission policy initiatives that align with the European ‘Green Deal’ priorities.

TR 10

Improve inclusivity, accessibility, permeability, and connectivity throughout the town and where appropriate with the town to adjoining amenities for alternative more sustainable modes of transport, including cycling and walking.

TR 11

Plan for the future growth of Tralee and facilitate the sustainable regeneration and renewal of vacant / derelict sites within the town.

 

[1] The PMCA report for the Finance Committee of the CCMA entitled The Impact of Online Trading on Local Government (April 2020).

[2] High Streets - What’s in store? How and why cities differ for consumers. Good jobs and a strong economy are the keys to saving the high street; Centre for cities Report published on 12 September 2019 by Rebecca McDonald, Lahari Ramuni and Lizzy Tan

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