Waterford City and County Council has granted conditional planning permission has been granted for a significant programme of cliff stabilisation, public amenity and ecological enhancement works at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre in County Waterford.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine received approval for the proposed development, which is located at the Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre in the townland of Dunmore, within an Architectural Conservation Area.

The approved works include stabilisation measures along an approximately 126-metre section of cliff face. These will involve the construction of a 44-metre retaining wall, along with the installation of rock bolts, slope drainage and dentition to improve the long-term stability of the cliff.

The project also provides for the demolition and reconstruction of 126 metres of boundary wall along Dock Road.

In addition to the engineering works, the development includes ecological enhancements through the creation of new nesting areas for kittiwakes, a protected seabird species that breeds on the cliffs around the harbour. Public amenity improvements are also planned, including the construction of a new harbour viewing deck with public seating.

Planning permission has been granted subject to six conditions.

One submission was received during the planning process. The submission raised concerns about the potential impact of the works on breeding kittiwakes at the site.

Dunmore East Fishery Harbour is one of Ireland’s designated national fishery harbours and serves both the commercial fishing industry and recreational marine users.