Standoff: Kilkenny and Waterford battle over an empty shopping centre positioned on their border
Ferrybank Shopping Centre
On the Waterford and Kilkenny border, a dispute is brewing over the status of a shopping centre which has sat idle and empty for over ten years.
The shopping centre is situated in Ferrybank, a quickly growing area which straddles the border between the two counties.
There has historically been some confusion and dispute over Ferrybank’s boundaries, with both Kilkenny County Council and Waterford City and County Council holding a vested interest in the area.
Ferrybank’s population has been growing rapidly in recent times, however its services are struggling to keep up.
There is currently no pub there, and a Spar shop which was located in the centre of the area recently shut its doors.
To address the infrastructural shortfall, both of the relevant local authorities have been guiding their own developments.
In an attempt to tackle the critical shortage of sports pitches in the area, Kilkenny County Council are currently in the process of developing a community park with additional sporting facilities.
Meanwhile, there is half a billion euro being invested into the North Quays development, which is spearheaded by Waterford City and County Council.
In comes Ferrybank Shopping Centre, which represents what could be the next major step in developing Ferrybank.
Kilkenny County Council have approved the centre's opening, however Waterford Council are attempting to ensure that the development is quashed.
Resultingly, fighting words between the two county’s authorities are being exchanged.
Ferrybank Shopping Centre has sat idle since its construction was completed in 2008.
In the years since, there has been an endless string of setbacks and delays.
Residents in the area and south Kilkenny based politicians have pleaded with Dunnes Stores to move into the site.
Kilkenny councillors situated in and around Ferrybank have fought long and hard to get the development moving, and to progress with what they consider to be an essential development for the area.
Finally, in June of this year, Dunnes Stores submitted a planning application seeking to open a flagship store within the vacant shopping centre.
These plans were approved by Kilkenny County Council in August.
However, along came neighbouring Waterford City and County Council, who lodged an appeal against Kilkenny Council’s decision to approve the development.
Waterford Council’s appeal was subsequently deemed ‘invalid’, due to a full application not being submitted in time.
Consequently, Waterford have now decided to take a legal approach.
A statement provided to the Waterford News & Star this week confirmed that Waterford City and County Council has been granted leave to take judicial review.
The application for leave is the first step in the conventional judicial review procedure.
It means that the Council have expressed that they have sufficient interest in the matter, and have demonstrated that they are affected in some way by the decision the of Kilkenny County Council to grant the shopping centre permission to proceed.
The Council has now been authorised to bring forward judicial review proceedings.
In response to Waterford’s decision this week, Director of Services with Kilkenny County Council, Ian Gardner, said that Kilkenny are “prepared to defend to the greatest possible extent” their decision to grant the development permission.
In the past number of weeks, councillors and council executives on both sides of the border have voiced strong opposing opinions on the matter.
Kilkenny Councillors have been left dumbfounded over Waterford's appeal, whilst in Waterford, councillors are torn over their own Council's decision to appeal.
Waterford's Cllr Mary Roche has said that she supports her Council’s move to block the development.
She has described the centre as "the worst excesses of the Celtic Tiger and should never have been built".
She said that she hopes Waterford Council "would do everything to ensure that the threat is removed."
Not everyone in the Waterford camp is of the same opinion however, and differing views have been exchanged in City Hall.
Dunmore East native Cllr Pat Fitzgerald criticised Waterford's decision, saying he wishes to be disassociated from the Council's objections.
“Business brings more business” he said.
"This centre has lain idle for years and it could be a huge asset for the city. Dunnes stores sells and promotes quality Irish produce and I believe this store should be allowed and we should actually support it."
Reacting to Waterford's judicial decision this week, all councillors in the Piltown Municipal District of South Kilkenny expressed serious disappointment and shock.
They say it has “soured” the relationship between the neighbouring authorities.
Cllr Ger Frisby said he was “completely astounded” by Waterford Council’s decision to take up a judicial route.
“We have worked tirelessly with Waterford City and County Council as a municipal area over the last number of years, and I think this just sours that relationship.
"As a public representative who will be speaking with Waterford Council colleagues on the other side, this is a very disheartening and shocking decision to make.”
Cllr Fidelis Doherty added that Waterford are moving “in a very confrontational and disingenuous way.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Jenny Catt Slattery emphasised the critical importance of the centre progressing:
“This development represents a very significant opportunity" she said.
“It is bringing jobs and a long overdue commercial investment to an area that has waited too long for progress.
"I really hope this matter can be resolved promptly and that a greater correspondence and mutual understanding can prevail between the neighbouring authorities for the benefit of all the people along our shared border.”
