A major residential development at Carrickphierish in Waterford City has been granted planning permission by Waterford City and County Council, despite objections from local residents and Councillor Joe Kelly over a range of issues including flooding, anti-social behaviour, wildlife protection and construction impacts.
The development, proposed by Kingscroft Developments Ltd, will deliver 159 residential units after the council required amendments to the original application. While the initial proposal sought permission for 167 homes, a planning condition requires the omission of eight houses (Sites 20-27), reducing the overall scheme to 159 homes.
The approved development will comprise a mix of houses, apartments and duplex units, alongside a crèche, three commercial units, public open space, communal landscaped areas, car parking, cycling facilities and associated infrastructure on lands at Carrickphierish Road in Gracedieu.
The council attached 23 planning conditions to its decision. Among the most significant are the removal of eight houses from the eastern boundary adjoining Oak Drive, revised landscaping and biodiversity measures, additional boundary treatments, changes to drainage proposals, and a requirement that the existing watercourse along the southern boundary be retained rather than culverted. The developer must also complete extensive road improvements, traffic safety measures and enter into agreements relating to social and affordable housing before construction can proceed.
However, the application was far from straightforward.
Local councillor Joe Kelly lodged a submission raising concerns over boundary security, the potential for anti-social behaviour, rodent control, flooding issues and the protection of wildlife species.
Hillview Residents’ Association also objected to the proposal, citing similar concerns while warning of potential construction noise and disruption. The association called on Waterford City and County Council to refuse permission.
Meanwhile, the Gracedieu Residents Group focused its objections on the apartment element of the scheme rather than the housing development itself.
In a detailed submission, the group argued there is insufficient demand for apartments in the locality and questioned whether the development aligns with the original vision for the North West Suburbs Action Area Plan. The group also referenced the nearby Mount Suir apartments, expressing concern that a similar oversupply could emerge if further apartment developments proceed.
The residents’ group maintained it would have supported a housing-only development, stating it had “no objection to a scheme that did not include apartments.”
Despite those submissions, council planners concluded that, subject to the attached conditions, the development accords with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The project has now entered another stage.
An appeal relating to the development was lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála on 13 July 2026 by Kingscroft Developments Ltd. At this stage, it is not yet known what aspect of the council’s decision is being appealed, although the planning authority’s extensive list of conditions may ultimately form part of the appeal.
A decision from An Coimisiún Pleanála is expected by 2 November 2026.
Until that appeal is determined, the final outcome of one of Waterford’s largest proposed residential developments remains uncertain.
