Developing the triangular "gateway" of Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore, as envisaged by the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), could only be done at the expense of other towns in the Midlands, according to its regional planning guidelines.
It would "cut against the grain" of development trends in the region and, by failing to build on the strengths and potential of Portlaoise and Longford, it would "hinder the achievement of critical mass ... and balanced regional development".
The scenario favoured by the Midlands plan is to drive forward implementation of the three-town gateway "in conjunction with the development of Portlaoise and Longford as principal towns" - officially described as a "polycentric five-town model".
This is based on replicating the success of a similar planning strategy in Denmark, where eight small and medium-sized towns came together to form the "Triangle Region" with the aim of securing a larger slice of economic development.
The combined population of Denmark's "Triangle" is exactly the same as the Midlands, at 225,000. The big difference is that the Midlands has a very weak urban structure, with none of its five main towns having a population greater than 20,000.
Urban areas account for only 37 per cent of the region's population, compared to 57 per cent in the Mid-East (Meath, Kildare and Wicklow), while more than 60 per cent of the recent 20,000 increase was due to an influx of Dublin commuters. This has been particularly marked in eastern parts of the Midlands - a trend that could "undermine the integrity and future of rural communities and services" and leave the countryside empty of people, at least during the day.
Such a scenario would create "image" problems for the region, the plan warns. "A 'laissez-faire' or 'do-nothing' approach will not provide the necessary focus and consequential critical mass among the principal towns and increasingly dispersed development."
The draft guidelines, which cover Westmeath, Laois, Offaly and Longford, stress the importance of creating jobs in the region, preferably clusters of bio-technology and other high-tech industries relying on links with third-level institutions.
The Westmeath County Manager, Ms Ann McGuinness, said the Midlands Regional Authority had "worked hard" on the regional planning guidelines with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, and needed to "kickstart the gateway to attract investors.
"A good strategy is to identify something that is already there and build on it," she said.
"We already have clusters in the region, Abbot Pharmaceuticals in Longford, Elan in Athlone, Tyco as well". And the Athlone Institute of Technology.
The plan proposes that a strategic development zone (SDZ), which would allow for fast-track planning of major projects, should be established somewhere between Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore, though no specific location is identified.
A special group known as the Investment Prioritisation Group is to be set up to liaise with national agencies on delivering the Midlands elements of the National Development Plan and also to develop the region's polycentric spatial structure.
The proper development of the three-centre gateway, along with the NSS-designated "hubs" Portlaoise and Longford, would ensure that development would "permeate down to the local level". Otherwise, it would "do little" for rural areas.
Rural housing would be needed for people "with clear links to rural areas". But the Midlands would have to cope with further changes in agriculture, peat harvesting and peat-fired power stations, all of which are in "a historical period of decline".
It is forecast that the population of the region will rise by 100,000 between now and 2020.
By then, according to the plan, "the Midlands will be a successful, sustainable and equitable region full of opportunities for its expanded population".
The deadline for public submissions on the draft Midlands Regional Planning Guidelines is April 21st. The document may be obtained via the Internet at
www.midlands.ie
