Announcement expected for IDA site in Greystones
A DEAL involving a vacant IDA development site in Greystones may be struck early this year, according to Cllr Gerry Walsh.
‘As a result of a meeting held recently, there is a significant development in interest on this site and an announcement is expected early next year from the IDA,’ said Cllr Walsh, who is chairperson of the Wicklow Economic Development and Enterprise Support Strategic Policy Committee.
The site has been unoccupied for decades. A computer chip processing facility planned to set up there in the 90s but ultimately went to Germany instead. Cllr Walsh said that he has been actively pursuing development options with the IDA property division and with prospective employers. ‘I have especially pressed the urgent need to attact businesses into the county to reverse the current commuting trend, which indicates that almost 26,000 Wicklow residents are working outside the county and that 44 per cent of Greystones residents work in Dublin.’
He said that the recent commuter survey carried out by Wicklow County Council has identified the range of particular skill sets in the working Wicklow population. ‘These skill sets could potentially be used to attract potential businesses into the IDA site in Greystones and into other employment development sites across Wicklow,’ said Cllr Walsh.
Areas of North Wicklow have been identified as potential growth centres in the current settlement strategy of the Draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). The RSES also examined the housing numbers, delivered in recent years and projected for the next 3 to 5 years in the general area (approximately 5000). Our housing crisis presents significant challenges but it is imperative that vital infrastructure which includes enhanced public transport is delivered to cater for any additional demand. The RSES also includes the IDA site at Greystones as a strategic employment location for development which is been actively pursued.
He said that in light of all of this, public transport needs to be addressed and upgraded to meet increasing demands.