Plans for new Waterford housing estate on hold as residents appeal council decision

An appeal has been lodged against the decision to grant planning permission for a new housing estate in Waterford city.

Colin and Martina Fanning have lodged the appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála in relation to a planned development in Knockboy, Ballygunner.

The development, which is being proposed by Jackie Green Construction Ltd, is set to contain 99-units, including 55 two-storey houses and four four-storey apartment blocks.

These blocks would provide a total of 20 one-bedroom apartments and 24 two-bedroom apartments. Meanwhile, there would be 19 four-bedroom houses and 36 three-bedroom houses.

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Plans are also in place for the construction of a creche, internal communal waste storage facilities and an ESB unit.

In addition, 181 car parking spaces and 80 bicycle parking spaces are due to be provided. Access to the development site would be via Ballygunner Hill.

Associated site works, including on landscaping, open spaces, boundary treatments and services provision, are also planned.

Before permission for the development was granted, local residents Colin and Martina Fanning made a submission in which they outlined their concerns.

One such concern was in relation to public safety. They stated: “It is the responsibility of the planning authority to ensure that any new development does not compromise public safety.

“The current traffic situation in the area is extremely dangerous, with gridlock congestion and frequent accidents and near misses, one of which has sadly been fatal within the catchment area.”

The pair also raised concerns in relation to a lack of planning, which also centred around traffic problems in the area.

“There is no indication that supporting infrastructure - particularly roads and traffic management - is being planned or upgraded alongside the proposed development.

“With two new developments - Cúl Dara and The Paddocks - already nearing occupancy, the volume of traffic is set to increase significantly.

“The addition of at least 181 more vehicles from the proposed development will further strain an already overburdened road network.”

The couple also had grievances when it came to public transport and school places.

The Fannings stated: “There are no plans to increase or improve local services. Public transport is already unreliable, with buses frequently delayed due to existing traffic issues.

“In addition, schools are currently at full capacity. This raises a very serious question: Where are the children from these new homes expected to go to school?

“Without parallel investment in educational and transport infrastructure, the community will be placed under unsustainable pressure.”

In their submission, the couple outlined their story and how they will be affected by the proposed development.

They continued: “Before purchasing our home, we met with Waterford Planning to understand the potential developments in the area.

“We were told housing may go in the field - but not high-rise apartment blocks, particularly not ones rising to nearly 14 metres in height.

“This misleading omission heavily impacted our decision to relocate, make a significant financial investment, and uproot our four children to this area.”

The Fannings concluded by expressing their overall disapproval of the development, saying: “We are one of just two households immediately impacted by this development.

“It feels like we are being ignored precisely because we are so few - yet we are the ones who will live directly in the shadow of this structure, quite literally.

“These four-storey blocks will loom over our front door, and all that attracted us to Knockboy - nature, privacy, peace, space - will be taken away.”

Waterford City and County Council also received a number of other similar objections in relation to the proposed development.

Despite these grievances, the council granted permission for the development on November 20, with a total of 30 conditions attached.

Subsequently, Colin and Martina Fanning have decided to lodge an appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála.

The development is now on hold pending the final decision of the commission.