Woes for Waterford scout group as plans for new den are put on hold pending appeal

Plans to develop a new scout den at Cheekpoint village in County Waterford are in limbo following a number of local objections.

An appeal has now been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála against the decision of the local authority to grant permission to  31st Waterford Faithlegg Scout Group for the development, which includes a "community scouts centre to include a communal hall, toilets, meeting room, kitchen, external terrace, storage units and camping facilities."

A volunteer with the local scout group says they “are very disappointed” by the objections and the appeal which is not due to be decided until early next year. 

In its submission to the local authority as part of the planning process, Cheekpoint Heritage Fishing Association raised concerns about the local Rope Walk being impacted by proposed development.

"The applicant does not have the legal entitlement to carry out any proposed development or realignment of the Rope Walk a historical built structural feature constructed in the 17ᵗʰ century.

"Neither has the applicant or any other member of the public a right of access via the Rope Walk a Several Fishery ancillary where all members of Cheekpoint Heritage fishing association hold long standing licence to all the lands at the Rope Walk location," states the submission.

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Several other submissions expressed concerns that the private Rope Walk would be taken over by the scouts with some stating they were worried as to how this would affect fishing rights. 

However, according to planning documents submitted to the council as part of the planning process, a senior executive with the construction company described the concerns as “a red herring” in correspondence with Inland Fisheries Ireland. 

In another submission, a fisheries expert wrote that the proposed development could the local harm eel populations while a nearby property owner said the original planning application disputed reference to a "consent agreement" between the scouts and adjacent property owners. 

In his submission to Waterford City and County Council, the man stated that no such consent agreement was made with him. 

One strongly worded hand-written objection stated that the development signalled the scouts “attempting to impose themselves on the Cheekpoint community and its environment”. 

Other locals were less pointed in their criticism of the proposed development, with one reading: “Why do they need two Scout Buildings in the one area.”

Another stated: “The roads are not adequate for increased transport to the Scout Hall.”

Several objections cited environmental concerns with one person stating that they believe the proposed scout hall would be “too close to the estuary”.

Following confirmation that the decision of the local authority to grant permission has been appealed, the scout group volunteer told Waterford Live: “We just have to wait for the decision from An Bord Pleanála. We thought we would be closer than we are.” 

According to An Coimisiún Pleanála, a decision regarding the appeal is due by January 26, 2026.