Objection to North Quays hotel plan in Waterford lodged on behalf of residents

A submission objecting to elements of the North Quays development has been lodged. The objection cites particular concerns with the proposed hotel and aparthotel blocks.

The submission was compiled by Marston Planning Consultancy on behalf of six residents living in houses on Sion Row in Ferrybank.

The document stated: “For a number of reasons that we will set our clearly in this submission, our clients are concerned in relation to the potential for Sion Row to be profoundly negatively impacted by the proposed development.” 

Marston Planning outlined that their clients homes have been ‘engulfed’ in a construction project for the past two years.

The submission adds that these works have led to the cottages ‘being borderline uninhabitable due to the level of noise disturbance, damage to structures, dirt, as well as restrictions on the ability of residents to access their homes for an already elongated period.’ 

The residents have cited particular concern with Block A and Block B of a nine block development at the North Quays.

Block A contains a 160 bedroom hotel that will contain conference/meetings rooms, restaurants/bars, function room, spa, gymnasium, café and all associated ancillary accommodation. Block B is a nine storey aparthotel that comprises 165 suites and associated ancillary accommodation, retail and café/restaurant.

The submission stated: ‘The hotel and aparthotel therefore exceed the 250-300 hotel bedrooms permitted under the Planning Scheme. We submit that the height of both these blocks are misleadingly stated in the planning notices.

“We respectfully submit that the design of the proposal (in particular Blocks A and B) will be seriously injurious to the visual amenity of the area as a result of their siting, bulk and design that will be overbearing and result in overshadowing and overlooking of their properties.'

The residents have expressed concern over the potential negative impact of all works on the structural integrity of their properties and a reduction in available daylight and sunlight to windows of their houses in Sion Row due to the scale of the proposed blocks.

The submission concluded: “Waterford City & County Council is invited to either refuse planning permission for this development or to amend or seek further information in order to address the valid concerns of our clients to ensure that the quality of the design is seriously improved, and that Blocks A and B are removed or seriously reduced in height to ensure the visual and residential amenity of our clients is maintained at an appropriate level.”