'Neglected' city centre building to be acquired by Waterford Council
61 John Street in The Applemarket.
An Bord Pleanala has granted permission for Waterford Council to acquire a vacant building at 61 John Street in the Applemarket, Waterford City.
The property is a three-storey, mid-terrace, red brick building, which previously accommodated a retail unit at ground level. It was formally placed on the Derelict Sites Register on April 20, 2023 and the property is a protected structure.
Planning inspector Ian Campbell described the building as a having a “neglected, unsightly and objectionable appearance from the public road and surrounding area.
“The front façade of the building is in a poor state of repair with bricks chipped/damaged. The shopfront is dirty and in need of repair/repainting."
He added that the roof of the building appears to be sagging and the property detracts significantly from the character and appearance of the street.
Mr. Campbell concluded: “I am satisfied that the process and procedures undertaken by Waterford City and County Council have been fair and reasonable, that the Local Authority has demonstrated the need for the lands and that all the lands being acquired are both necessary and suitable to ensure that the lands do not continue to be a derelict site.”
