NWRA formally adopt draft of first Spatial and Economic Strategy

The elected members of the Northern & Western Regional Assembly have formally adopted a draft of the region’s first-ever Spatial and Economic Strategy.
The strategy sets out an ambitious vision up to 2040, by taking advantage of the high quality of life, knowledge and adaptability in areas such as energy, innovation and entrepreneurship.
With a projected growth of over 180,000 people bringing the entire population of the north west region to over 1 million people, a clear objective of the plan is strengthening often weak infrastructure in the region’s urban areas so that investment, jobs and population growth can flourish.
The strategy seeks to identify regionally specific investments that can act as drivers for the population growth and provide a jobs dividend.
The region needs to supply the right housing, infrastructure, jobs and services where they are needed. Galway City is the primary urban driver with other large towns such as Letterkenny, Sligo and Athlone designated as regional growth centres.
The NWRA which administers major EU funding programmes in 8 counties within the region believes that it’s regional, spatial and economic strategy is unique. If adopted after a 10 week public consultation the plan will provide a detailed road map within the national planning framework specific to the region’s needs and strengths.