Two people stand in the way of Waterford's €280m Saudi-backed regeneration project
The development involves a new shopping centre, office blocks and up to 300 apartments.
TWO LOCALS HAVE appealed plans by Waterford council to develop a new shopping complex and sites along the city’s ‘North Quays’ precinct.
Last year, plans for the regeneration project surfaced when the Fawaz Alhokair Group, a Saudi Arabian retail and hotel conglomerate, made a preliminary agreement with the local council to fund a large part of the project to the tune of €280 million.
The Middle Eastern group’s commitment to the development was dependent on State funding being committed to upgrade aspects of the city’s infrastructure.
The project cleared this hurdle when it was confirmed that, as part of the Ireland 2040 project, Waterford City and County Council will receive the €60 million required for the transport hub and pedestrian elements of the development.
The development is proposed for a ‘strategic development zone’ – land deemed to have economic or social importance to the state. In its role as Ireland’s independent planning board, An Bord Pleanála deals with the applications for large developments on these sites.
Last month, plans for the project were submitted to An Bord Pleanála and, following four weeks on display, three objections were filed – one of which was declared invalid.
One objector said he welcomed some of the transport upgrades involved in the project but added the plans cater predominately for businesses and not the people of Waterford.
He added that this will bring multinationals to the city and harm indigenous business in the area.
“The plan puts the north wharf development in competition with the existing city centre rather than enhancing and complementing the city. The retail and commercial will replicate what we have already have in the city at present.
“It is not too late to avoid creating a north-south divide around the river, the plan could be adjusted to complement and enhance the city, to put Waterford on the world stage as a place to come to visit, work and live.”
An artist's impression of the development
Another objection claimed that the plans would include construction on the appellant’s land outside the North Quays strategic development zone.
The complainant said approval of the regeneration project would result in his land being taken over by the council as part of a compulsory purchase order.
An Bord Pleanála will now run the rule over the appeals before either granting or refusing the development permission. This process can run to half a year or more.
Delayed
Final contracts between Waterford council and the Fawaz Alhokair Group were expected to be signed by the end of this month.
According to the council, negotiations regarding its acquisition of a key Michael Street site on the south side of the river from state bad bank Nama are also still ongoing.
An Bord Pleanála previously gave planning approval for a retail development on the site to Wexford firm Newgate Development, but no plans have been cleared for the land at North Quays.
The Michael Street retail site
Despite the appeals to the project, Waterford council chief executive Michael Walsh said he is confident construction can begin on the site at the beginning of next year.
The developments include 40,000 sq m of retail space, a quarter of which will be made up of the new shopping complex on Michael Street.
On the 90,000 sq m North Quays site, a mix of offices and 300 apartment units are proposed, as well as a hotel and convention space.
The development is expected to support 1,200 jobs during the construction phase and more than 3,500 permanent jobs upon completion.
