Planning Permission granted for Phase 1 of North Quays SDZ Mixed Use Development
Waterford City and County Council has granted planning permission to Harcourt Developments (t/a Hopcast Limited) for the development of the first phase of the Waterford North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).
The mixed-use development will include significant residential accommodation, as well as office and hotel accommodation, retail offerings and high-quality public realm spaces consisting of:
- 350 residential units
- Office accommodation including ground floor creche & retail
- 160-bedroom hotel and conference centre
- 163-room aparthotel
- Retail units on ground floor of residential blocks
- High quality public realm spaces to include public plazas, riverside boardwalk and greenway.
The SDZ development places a significant emphasis on connecting the north and south quays, and improving the public realm through investment in new high quality civic spaces, including sustainable transport infrastructure, which will connect the Waterford and the South-East Greenways via the city centre and new sustainable transport bridge.
Commenting on the planning decision, Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council said,
This is a momentous day for Waterford and the wider region. The North Quays Infrastructure Project is progressing well, with the impressive integrated transport hub on Frank Cassin Wharf, the construction of the five access bridges over the rail corridor and new greenway, and the much anticipated arrival of the sustainable transport bridge from Belgium next month.
This next phase of development on the North Quays is hugely significant as it amplifies the potential for jobs, investment, and residential and commercial development.
The direct benefit to Waterford of the investment in the SDZ Site is anticipated to be in excess of €350m over the next six years, with 200 people employed during construction and upwards of 1,500 jobs to be created following completion of phase one of the development.
Construction of the private SDZ development is anticipated to start later this year.
Harcourt Developments is a Dublin-based property development and management company with a broad portfolio of award-winning projects, that boasts Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, Northern Ireland’s most important regeneration project. The Titanic Quarter is a vibrant, mixed-use scheme of commercial space, plus residential, retail, and hospitality and tourism spaces.
Harcourt’s experience in developing Belfast’s Titanic Quarter will be invaluable in delivering the North Quays development, which comprises many similar elements. The main objective of the North Quays is to attract further investment in Waterford City from indigenous and multinational companies, expanding the tourism and hospitality sectors in addition to increasing the housing stock.
The Land Development Agency is also engaging with Harcourt in respect of the residential elements of the project. These investments are integral in achieving the objectives set out on the National Planning Framework, which calls for the rapid expansion of Waterford city to over 85,000 people.
