Vetra Construction Ltd. has been given the go-ahead for a major 98-home residential development in Kilbarry, Waterford City.

The scheme will comprise 66 houses and a four-storey apartment block containing 32 apartments, alongside public open space, landscaping, new roads and pedestrian connections.

The houses will include 20 four-bedroom homes and 46 three-bedroom homes. The apartments will consist of eight one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units.

A key part of the permission is the completion of the final section of the LIHAF road, with the council requiring the road section to be completed before any of the new homes can be occupied.

The developer will also have to pay €343,000 to Waterford City and County Council under the council’s development contribution scheme. Of this, €205,800 relates to transport and drainage, while €137,200 is for community, amenity and recreation infrastructure.

In addition, Vetra Construction must provide €869,750 in financial security before construction begins to cover the satisfactory provision and maintenance of roads, footpaths, watermains, drainage, car parks, public open space and other services until the development is taken in charge by the council.

The permission also requires the developer to enter into an agreement with the council regarding the provision of social and affordable housing.

The council has also put restrictions on who can buy or occupy the new homes, with priority given to individual buyers and people eligible for social, affordable or cost-rental housing.

Earlier last month, Waterford City and County Council also granted conditional permission to Rio Real Properties for a separate 99-home development at Lacken Road, Carrigroe, Kilbarry.

The two schemes mean 197 homes are now either approved or proposed in the immediate area.