Council challenges proposed Ferrybank development

Waterford City and County Council has lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against a proposed development at the site of  Ferrybank shopping centre.

The project, which Kilkenny County Council approved earlier this year, was raised at this month’s metropolitan council meeting.

Councillor Mary Roche raises concerns on Ferrybank Shopping Centre

Raising the issue, Councillor Mary Roche of the Social Democrats questioned the scale of the granted planning permission.

She told the meeting that such a large development would never be permitted on the outskirts of Kilkenny City, and argued it should not be allowed on the Waterford boundary either.

Councillor Roche also pointed out that the proposal runs contrary to the joint retail strategy agreed between Waterford City and County Council and Kilkenny County Council.

When contacted for further comment, Councillor Roche told WLR that people in Ferrybank need services but “not a 60,000 square foot centre which would potentially damage the retail heart of our city”.

Councillor Roche further described the centre as “the worst excesses of the Celtic Tiger and should never have been built”.

In response, Claire Hartley from Waterford City and County Council confirmed that an official appeal has been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála.

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