Darragh's Soapbox: Locals react to Waterford's North Quays development images
The image of the North Quays we showed locals this week to gauge their reaction
Waterford City and County Council last week granted planning permission for the €200 million Waterford North Quays development.
Permission was granted to Harcourt Developments for the first phase, which includes significant residential accommodation, as well as office and hotel accommodation, retail offerings and high-quality public realm spaces.
The approved plans include 350 residential units with retail units at ground floor level.
Also greenlit is the construction of office accommodation, including a ground floor creche.
A four-star 160-bedroom hotel and conference centre will be constructed, as well as a 163-room aparthotel.
The Waterford News & Star published last week a range of images that show what the development could look like when complete.
We asked people across Waterford City how they felt about the accompanying image, which shows a view of the North Quays blocks from the south side of the river.
Everyone we asked was impressed by the image, with one local saying "it looks smart" and another saying "the buildings there will look great if they look any way like the picture".
Local said the blocks give off a European flair.
"It looks very well," he said, "it reminds me of Berlin."
"Maybe some additional trees could adorn it, but maybe they are planning for that. At the back of the buildings some extra trees would be great, but other than that it looks very, very well in the picture."
also liked the look of the plans, saying that she hopes the finished development will enhance the city.
"It looks nice and hopefully it will help Waterford. This will be lovely, but we need to develop this side of the river along with it, create jobs and get it going. Hopefully this will help do it."
