boyle local area plan 2012 - 2018 - Roscommon County Council

PART II: DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR 2012 – 2018 & BEYOND Chapter 7: Economic Development & Employment
CHAPTER 7:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
& EMPLOYMENT
7.1 INTRODUCTION
Planning and development issues today have become
more complex and frequently overlap with other policy
areas such as economic development, transport,
education, and health provision. The economic role of
Boyle is significant in terms of the towns’ population
and location. Considering the size, scale and nature of
Boyle, it is imperative that the strategy for economic
development in the Town focuses on the achievable
delivery of local services and potential employment
generation.
The zoning of appropriate sites in the town centre to
accommodate mixed-use developments can facilitate
the development of small-scale services. These services
can expand over time if required. There are several
strategic economic advantages in Boyle, including for
example; a high quality built environment (historic
heritage, protected structures, an Architectural
Conservation Area); improved road access; notable
development interest in the town; a significant volume
of land and availability of readily serviced sites;
considerable tourism potential; a high quality natural
environment; and, relatively low development charges.
7.2 EXISTING CONTEXT
Similar to many towns in Ireland, Boyle has been
affected by the downturn in the national economy since
2008, and to the subsequent increase in unemployment
rates. This LAP therefore includes the facilitation of
employment generation as a principle aim and the plan
contains a level of flexibility in order to facilitate
potential new developments with varying requirements
that are capable of delivering employment.
Employment and industry are of fundamental importance
to the economic and social development of Boyle. There
are no major industries in the Boyle area at present and a
significant proportion of people living in the area
commute to towns such as Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon,
Longford, and Roscommon for employment. Agriculture
and agricultural services still remain a significant source
of employment in the area. Employment is also
generated in the area in, for example; small shops,
supermarkets, solicitor’s offices, insurance brokers, and
betting offices, amongst many others.
Whilst Boyle acts as a local service centre for the
surrounding rural hinterland, there is insufficient
indigenous employment for residents of the town at
present. Boyle lacks industry, despite having an educated
workforce. Employment generating uses in Boyle are
critical to readdressing the balance of development that
has taken place. The area has experienced significant
population growth and should be in a position to
capitalise on the available skilled workforce. There is a
need to encourage entrepreneurship with assistance from
support agencies such as the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, and
the Enterprise Board. In addition to the commercial/retail
and industrial lands included on the land use zoning map,
flexible policies and objectives are also included in this
LAP, which demonstrate RCC’s commitment to assisting
and facilitating in the creation of additional employment
for Boyle (See appended Maps 14a & 14b).
As outlined above, there is a large agricultural sector on
the fringes of the town and this provides limited
employment. However, many farmers are finding it
increasingly difficult to entice their sons or daughters to
remain in Boyle and work the farms due to low farm
incomes. Farming has now become predominantly parttime
and primarily consists of farm sizes between 50-100
acres. Many farmers’ wives also work part-time in order
to supplement family incomes. In most cases, farm
income is supplemented by a mixture of wages, headage
payments, unemployment assistance or F.Á.S schemes.
With changes in agricultural production and reduction in
EU financial supports, farming can be expected to
contribute less income in the future and a reduction in
farm related employment is likely.
RCC also recognises that there are many advantages to
the local community living within a reasonable travel
distance from their place of employment. These
advantages include; reduced travel time and costs,
reduce carbon emissions, and increased productivity.
Achieving these benefits will contribute to an overall
improvement in the quality of life for everyone in
Boyle. Furthermore, the presence of employment in a
town leads to increased potential for business
interactions and the local economy will grow with the
level of trade and commerce.
There are several influencing factors that will aid in the
attraction and creation of new employment in Boyle.
These include, amongst others; a significant local
workforce, an existing active business community, huge
tourism potential, a vibrant community and great
quality of life, available industrial lands, and a
population and wide hinterland providing a market for
services. It is considered that renewed emphasis is
required on the creation of long-term sustainable
employment in Boyle, particularly in tourism, industry
(production and manufacturing) and the service
industry. There is considerable potential for growth in
the service industry in Boyle town in terms of the level
and range of service provision in areas such as leisure,
retail and restaurants. A significant portion of such
Boyle Local Area Plan 2012-2018 Page 91