Permission refused for Waterford apartments amid ‘extremely dangerous conditions’

Planning permission has been refused for the construction of a new apartment complex in Waterford city.

In September 2024, Ferryhill Properties Limited announced plans to demolish the existing Soundstore building at 18-21 Ballybricken.

A planning application detailed plans for the construction of mixed use development in its place, containing 45 residential units and two ground floor commercial units.

The development would consist of three blocks to a height of four storeys and associated site works would also be carried out.

Waterford City and County Council refused permission for the development in June, but an appeal was later lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála.

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However, An Coimisiún Pleanála has now communicated their decision to refuse planning permission.

Inspector Suzanne Kehely’s report detailed a number of issues that the commission had with the proposed development.

The report stated: “It is considered that the proposed development, by reason of its overall scale, height and massing would be out of scale with its surroundings, would seriously detract from the architectural character and setting of the surrounding area vicinity and of the streetscape generally.

“The proposed development would, therefore, seriously detract from the architectural heritage and visual amenities of the area.”

The inspector added that the proposed development would be contrary to the policies and objectives of the Waterford City & County Development Plan 2022-2028 and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The architects’ section of the report found that the four-storey building “would completely alter the composition and character of this terrace in contrast to the current building”.

Waterford City and County Council had similar concerns regarding visual impact, loss of privacy and sustainable housing design standards.

An Coimisián Pleanála received over 20 submissions in relation to the proposed development, while the council received over 40.

Local residents raised concerns over inadequate services within and around the development, impact of height on both character of this conservation area and the impact of inadequate parking facilities on surrounding roads.
One resident wrote: “The height of the development is completely inappropriate to the environmental context. The scale and height will severely impact the amenity of neighbouring homes.

“The development would create extremely dangerous conditions for pedestrians and residents living in the area, particularly children using Ballybricken as a play area,” they added.

On the basis of these concerns, the commission announced that they would uphold the decision of Waterford City and County Council to refuse planning permission.