Plans to transform the former Maypark Nursing Home into a 29-unit residential development have been refused by Waterford City & County Council, following concerns with the River Suir.
The proposal for Maypark House on Maypark Lane sought permission for a change of use of the existing residential care home facility to residential use, providing 25 apartments and four houses.
The development would have consisted of 19 one-bedroom, five two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartments, along with three two-bedroom two-storey houses and one three-bedroom two-storey house.
Plans also included the demolition of modern two-storey extensions to the front and side of the main building, along with new extensions, alterations to existing outbuildings, balconies and alterations to the elevations of the buildings.
The proposals included new car and bicycle parking, bin storage, a one-way internal driveway, drainage works and other associated site development works.
However, Waterford City & County Council has refused permission, with the decision dated August 27, 2026.
The refusal centres on how rainwater from the site would be managed with the River Suir. The council said revised drainage plans showed that water from the development could ultimately flow into the protected Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
In the absence of a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), the council said it had not been demonstrated that the development would not have potential adverse effects on the integrity of the SAC.
The council concluded that it had not been satisfied that the development would not, either individually or in combination with other projects, give rise to potential significant effects on the conservation objectives of habitats and species within the Lower River Suir SAC.
Concerns raised by residents
A number of issues were raised in submissions from members of the public.
One submission said the writer was generally supportive of the provision of social housing at Maypark House, but raised concerns about a previous sewage smell in the area, particularly near the entrance to Riverwoods. The submission questioned whether this could be connected to the location where new sewage pipes were proposed to connect to the mains.
Questions were also raised over who would be responsible for the maintenance and general upkeep of the proposed social housing units.
A separate submission referred to an ongoing boundary dispute involving the eastern boundary of the Maypark House site, close to Park Avenue and Riverwoods.
Other residents raised concerns about the number of one-bedroom units, with one submission questioning whether the proposed development would fit the character of the surrounding residential area. The submission also stated that the development could lead to an amount of societal issues, and could lead to the “detriment” of the locality.
Concerns were also expressed about the potential impact of a predominantly social-housing development on the wider community, with a submission calling for a greater mix of social and non-social housing.
However, it is not yet clear what type of housing the development would have comprised.
Traffic was another issue raised, with residents citing existing congestion on Maypark Lane and difficulties exiting onto Dunmore Road. Concerns were expressed that traffic generated by the proposed development could add to pressures associated with the surgical unit currently under construction in the area.
Privacy and residential amenity were also highlighted, with residents raising concerns about overlooking of existing back gardens, as well as the potential for increased noise and disturbance.
Despite the concerns raised in the public submissions, the council’s formal reason for refusal relates specifically to the potential impact on the Lower River Suir SAC and the absence of a Natura Impact Statement.
