A modular homes development will not be going ahead in Tallow.
An update has been issued to Waterford City and County Council by the Department of Integration today.
Residents and councillors had raised concerns about the plans earlier this year because of the units themselves, the expense and the lack of amenities in the area.
"What we have been advised is that the OPW had done a full site survey," Tallow councillor, Mairéad Tobin, has told WLR News, "and based on cost and the number of homes that they were going to be allowed to build, it wasn't going to be cost-effective.
"They had hoped for 44 homes but what they had been advised by Irish Water is that there was actually only capacity for 20."
Locals now hope that the site could be brought into use in the future by the local authority and, to this end, it's understood a number of ideas are already being discussed.
"Going forward, the hope would be that there would be a scheme developed in there," Councillor Tobin explained, "and also there are plans in the pipeline that groups have been working on.
"It is about developing it for the town and putting amenities in there that will service the town like better childcare facilities, some industry and then also some social housing."
However, as has been stated, the site is currently not suitable for any large development because it is not connected to any water mains as of yet.
The cost associated with that is also prohibitive to getting any project completed there in the very near future.
Councillor Tobin says these are all issues which will need to be addressed.
"It is being considered that it will be developed for the town and for the betterment of the town, but before anything happens here, there has be improvements in the infrastructure here in the town.
"Our water services are a big issue here - that would be a big concern.
"Before anything happens, that will all have to be improved."
If the 44 modular homes had gone ahead as planned by the Department, Ukrainian refugees would have been housed there.
However, in the last week, 33 Ukrainian people have arrived in Tallow, following an agreement between a local landlord and the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS).
They are being accommodated in a building that was formerly a butcher's shop in the centre of the town.
A committee has now been set up by local residents to help the new arrivals to integrate locally.
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