New McDonald’s restaurant is officially greenlit in Waterford City

A new McDonalds drive-thru restaurant at Waterford Retail Park has been granted planning permission to progress by An Bord Pleanala.

The development consists of a single-storey drive-thru restaurant.

Following the submission of the planning documents in December 2024, a concerned citizen objected to the development.

His appeal said that the project would negatively impact on existing restaurants and takeaways in the general area and that the construction of a McDonald's would "fundamentally alter the nature of the retail warehouse park". 

In February, Waterford City and County Council granted permission for the proposed development. This decision was subsequently brought to An Bord Pleanala for further review.

Senior Planning Inspector Matthew Redmond advised this week that permission be upheld.