Chapter 4: Economy, Tourism, Education and Retail

Our vision is to Support a strong, sustainable, resilient and successful economy, underpinned by enterprise, innovation and skills, and access to quality education for all.

This will be facilitated by creating places that can foster enterprise and innovation, and attract investment and talent, and can be achieved by building regional economic drivers for Waterford as listed in the SRSES and by supporting opportunities to diversify and strengthen the economy, to leverage the potential of places.

Access for all to a range of quality education facilities is a defining characteristic of attractive, successful and competitive places. We will achieve this by supporting the growth and development of all learning institutions, and promoting and fostering links with business/ enterprise and technological innovation. The development and enhancement of Lifelong Learning and Healthy City initiatives in Waterford will be essential components of achieving UNESCO Learning City/ Region status. The Development Plan will also support the development of the Learning City/ Region initiative to other urban and rural centres of population through existing networks (e.g. the Library Service), and support the preparation and implementation of a Learning Region Strategy.

Employment and economic growth play a vital role in the planning system in delivering sustainable goals for the public good, improving the social and economic prospects of all residents, and the economic health and resilience of our city and county. Waterford must be “open for business” to become a successful, resilient and sustainable place, meeting the many different and changing needs and location requirements of the different sectors and sizes of business. Such an outlook also requires a concentrated, co-ordinated and collaborative cross-sectoral and cross-departmental approach, which seeks to deliver initiatives in a targeted manner and with a strategic focus.

A proactive and active land management process, with strategically located land banks (brownfield and Greenfield), is key to facilitate economic growth and development. To promote a diverse and resilient economy we will have to build on our existing assets (natural, cultural, and built environment), and put into practice new ideas from our colleges, research organisations, and our skilled workforce. We also need to improve our connections through upgrades to our transport and high speed digital communications networks, and play a more proactive role towards a low carbon economy.

In respect of the key broad functions and core elements which the Development Plan can support in relation to economic development, these include:

• Setting out a planning framework for economic development that is in line with the plan hierarchy, settlement hierarchy and Development Plan Core Strategy and supports communities across Waterford;
• Ensuring an adequate supply of zoned and serviced land for economic and employment- generating uses and growth at appropriate locations;
• Developing a strategy for retail and tourism/ leisure;
• Promoting and facilitating an improvement in the quality of life in all parts of the City and County;