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Waterford City & County Council

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By Waterford City & County Council

€100,000 in Outdoor Recreation Funding Announced for Waterford

On Tuesday, November 21st, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced funding of almost €2.3 million nationally to support the development of 50 outdoor adventure projects across Ireland.

The investment under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) will be key to enhancing outdoor amenities such as our walkways, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches.

As part of this announcement two Waterford projects received a very welcome funding boost; Blackwater River Valley Outdoor Recreation Plan and Comeragh Mountains Outdoor Recreation Management Plan.

The Project Development Measures will fund the preparatory work required to bring large scale outdoor recreation projects to a shovel-ready stage.

Each project will receive €50,000 in funding under this round of ORIS funding with a minimum of a further 10% in funding being contributed by Waterford City and County Council. It is envisaged that the projects will be implemented in 2024.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway welcomed the funding announcement saying, “This funding announcement is significant for Waterford, as it will drive the impetus to bring these two large-scale projects to fruition.

“Waterford’s successful projects are located within two areas of outstanding scenic beauty namely the Blackwater River Valley and the Comeragh Mountains, and the development of these high quality recreation opportunities will only serve to enhance the areas and the communities within.”

Blackwater River Valley Outdoor Recreation entails the design of improved river access points to facilitate water-based activities at Ballyduff Upper and Lismore to include developing designs to planning stage, environmental assessments and submission of the resultant planning application. This work will build on a feasibility which was undertaken in 2022 to look at the potential of the Blackwater River Valley for Blueway, water trail and related land based outdoor recreation opportunities. It will also greatly add to ongoing projects in both Cappoquin and Villierstown seeking to enhance access to the River Blackwater for recreation.

Comeragh Mountains Outdoor Recreation Management Plan will see the development and management of high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities in the Comeragh Mountains focusing on core environmental, conservation, landscape, and socio-economic factors.

Widespread stakeholder and community engagement are planned as part of the preparation of this plan which will be consistent with objectives contained within the Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022 to 2028.

Similar to the River Blackwater project, the process of preparing the plan will very much consider the unique characteristics of this wonderful upland landscape.

The Rural Economic Development team in Waterford City and County Council looks forward to working with the local communities on these exciting projects in 2024.

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By Waterford City & County Council

Notice of Local Authority Budget 2024

Notice is hereby given that the Budget of Waterford City and County Council for the Financial Year ending 31st December 2024 has been prepared and will be considered by the Waterford City and County Council at the Budget Meeting to be held at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 28th November 2023 at City Hall, The Mall, Waterford.

A copy of same can be inspected free of charge by any member of the public at the Customer Services Desks, Baileys New Street, Waterford and Davitts Quay, Dungarvan,
Co. Waterford while the offices are open for the transaction of official business.

A copy of the Budget of Expenses will be supplied to any person making application at a price of €5

Michael Walsh
Chief Executive,
Waterford City & County Council.

By Waterford City & County Council

Fógra Maidir le Buiséad an Údaráis Áitiúil

Tugtar fógra leis seo gur ullmhaíodh Buiséad Chomhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge don Bhliain Airgeadais dar críoch 31 Nollaig 2024 agus go mbreithneoidh Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge é ag an gCruinniú Buiséid
a thionólfar ar 2.00 i.n. Dé Máirt 28 Samhain 2023 i Halla na Cathrach, An Meal, Port Láirge.

Is féidir le duine ar bith den phobal cóip den mbuiséad a iniúchadh saor in aisce ag Deasca Seirbhísí Custaiméirí, Sráid Nua Bailey, Port Láirge agus Cé Dháibhéid, Dún Garbhán, Co. Phort Láirge fad is atá na hoifigí ar oscailt chun gnó oifigiúil a dhéanamh.

Cuirfear cóip de Bhuiséad na gCostas ar fáil d’aon duine a dhéanann iarratas ar phraghas €5

Michael Walsh
Príomhfheidhmeannach,
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge

By Waterford City & County Council

Dungarvan to Light Up for Christmas!

Dungarvan can expect a very special visit from the ‘man himself’ as Santa is due to switch on Dungarvan’s Christmas lights on Sunday, November 26th.

Dungarvan Shopping Centre, in association with Waterford City and County Council, has compiled a festive programme in the lead up to the big event.

Making his grand entrance in a fire engine, Santa will be escorted by local Vespa club, Only Fools and Scooters, and met by the Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Declan Doocey.

Commenting on the event, Gerry O’Connor, Manager Dungarvan Shopping Centre, said we’re delighted to partner with Waterford City and County Council to light up Dungarvan for the festive season.

“Dungarvan looks great throughout the year.  It really is the perfect destination for shopping, leisure or for a bite to eat, but when the lights go on, there is a fantastic festive atmosphere.

There is lots of activity planned in the Plaza and Grattan Square and it really is the perfect time to bring the family into town, young and old, to soak up the wonderful Christmas ambience.”

Santa will arrive in Grattan Square in a fire engine and make his way to the Plaza to meet the Deputy Mayor, of Waterford City and County where he and the winner of the Christmas colouring competition in the Dungarvan Leader will switch on the Christmas lights at approximately 5pm.”

WLRfm will be broadcasting live from 3pm to 6pm with Andy McCloskey and there will be loads of prizes and giveaways.  There’ll also be a Christmas Carousel in the Plaza to keep the youngsters entertained throughout the evening.

  • Santa’s arrival in Grattan Square – 4.15pm
  • Switching on of Christmas Lights on the Plaza – approx. 5pm

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By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City & County Council seeks Expressions of Interest (EoI) for Ardmore Affordable Housing Scheme

Waterford City and County Council is actively considering the development of an affordable housing scheme at Ardmore, Co. Waterford.  Initially, the Local Authority is assessing the viability of, and the need for such a scheme in the area.

The Local Authority Affordable Housing Scheme provides for Local Authorities to make new homes available at a reduced price for first-time buyers whose mortgage and deposit will not cover the price of the home and who are seeking to purchase a newly-built home.

If you are a first-time buyer, unable to get a mortgage for a new home in the Ardmore area, the affordable housing scheme will provide for:

  • The purchase of a home using the income capacity of the purchaser(s) and the maximum mortgage available to them.
  • The Local Authority to take an equity stake in the home to cover the shortfall in the price to a maximum of 40% and a minimum of 5% which can be redeemed at any stage in the future or may be left in place until a future sale of the property.

While the final purchase price of the affordable housing has yet to be determined, the scheme will be targeted at those who cannot access social housing supports and cannot afford to purchase a property on the private market.

If you consider that you may qualify and are interested in declaring an interest provisionally at this point, you are invited to complete an Expression of Interest online survey, subject to the important information contained within the survey and acceptance of the terms outlined in it.

To complete the Expression of Interest online survey, visit Waterford City & County Council (submit.com)

The survey will remain open until 4pm, Sunday December 31st, 2023.

For further information about the Admore Affordable Housing Scheme (EoI) email affordablehomes@waterfordcouncil.ie

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By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City & County Council calls for dog owners to bag it and bin it!

Dog owners of Waterford are being urged to clean up their dog’s waste by bagging it and binning it!

Not only is dog poo unsightly and smelly, but it can also pose a health hazard. Dog poo on our streets, parks, trails and beaches can cause illness and lead to the spread of disease, as it contains harmful bacteria such as E-coli and parasites like roundworm. Not only this, but it can cause serious kidney disorders, diarrhoea, intestinal illnesses, and cramps.

Parents with buggies, children, and vulnerable groups such as wheelchair users and the visually impaired, are particularly susceptible to stepping in or wheeling through dog poo, and being at risk of these health implications, not to mention the unpleasantness and inconvenience of getting poo on shoes, hands or wheels.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway said, “The majority of dog owners and dog walkers are responsible and ensure that they clean up after their pets.  However, there is a minority that believes their dog waste is not their responsibility.”

“The consequences of not bagging, binning or bringing it home are not pleasant.  Dog poo and discarded poo bags are a blight on the landscape, they spoil our wonderful natural amenities, and they are harmful to people and wildlife.”

By simply ensuring we all clean up after our dogs, we protect our community and our environment.”

Niall Kane, Senior Executive Engineer, with Waterford City and County Council added, “Dog waste should be bagged immediately and can be discarded in any public bin.  If there is no public bin in the vicinity of the walk, it should be brought home and disposed of in a suitable sanitary manner.

“Often is the case, some owners will bag it, but then leave the bags on trees or on walkways, which is unsightly and has a detrimental effect on the environment. Discarded poo bags are a threat to wildlife through ingestion and entanglement, and can end up in our rivers and lakes, causing further damage to our marine life…the consequences of which will be felt for generations to come.”

Waterford City and County Council encourages all dog owners to make the right decision and clean up after their pooches to protect our communities, our wildlife and our outdoor spaces.

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Images: Free to use (WCCC)

  • Lydia O’Connor (WCCC) and Peaches, Niall Kane Senior Executive Engineer (WCCC) and Ivy, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway and Ella Ryan Environmental Awareness Officer (WCCC) with Bess.
  • Ella Ryan Environmental Awareness Officer (WCCC), Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway and Niall Kane Senior Executive Engineer (WCCC) with Bess and Ivy.

By Waterford City & County Council

Mount Congreve Gardens listed by Conde Nast Traveller in their ‘Best Place To Go’ 2024

The prestigious international travel magazine ‘Conde Nast Traveller’ has zoned in on Mount Congreve for their ‘Best Place To Go in the UK & Ireland’ 2024 listing.

Conde Nast says of the list, “At the end of each year, we look ahead to what’s coming next in the travel world as we pick out the top destinations we’d recommend to our fellow globetrotters for the following 12 months. Our expert contributors nominate the destinations that are on the up right now. These nominations make up the Best Places To Go in 2024, in which we shine a light on the places that are due their moment in the sun.”

They go on to say, “This list is an edit of the regions, cities and neighbourhoods in the UK and Ireland that are worthy of your time and attention in the next 12 months. All 12 destinations are places we’re excited about recommending for your 2024 plans – 12 spots that should be on your radar when it comes to plotting your all-important annual leave, and which will hopefully remind you that some of the most beautiful places in the world are right here on home turf. Happy travels.”

Of the 12 places on the list ‘Waterford & Wexford’ are cited together as a Southeast travel destination. It is the only Irish inclusion.

The listing details the newly refurbished Loftus Hall and its imminent opening, the oldest intact operating lighthouse in the world – Hook Lighthouse, Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore and the delicious seafood at The Beach House in Tramore and the magnificent Mount Congreve House and Gardens.

Conde Nast contributor Aoife O’Riordan says, “Hop over the border to County Waterford and the recently restored Mount Congreve House, another palatial pile, overlooking the River Suir with dreamy gardens and a café run by The Pantry at CLIFF, a spin-off of Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore. When the gates close, you will have the gardens all to yourself if you bed down at Mount Congreve’s fairytale gate lodge, which is available to rent, and the Waterford Greenway, an off-road hiking and biking trail along a disused railway line between Waterford City and Dungarvan, passes right by the edge of the estate.”

Sara Dolan, Commercial Director at Mount Congreve Trust says, “We are absolutely thrilled to be listed in the Conde Nast top 2024 recommendations. We know that this guide and any list they produce is very discerning, so it is a dream come true to be selected and featured, especially in the first year of our opening.

All of the team at Mount Congreve have worked very hard to achieve and deliver a very high standard of hospitality right across the gardens, the café, the house, the gate lodge and for our events so it is a wonderful acknowledgement of their hard work.

We have some more very exciting plans and further estate developments planned for 2024, so we won’t be sitting on the garden laurels but moving on and pushing ahead to achieve even more in year two of the new chapter of the estate.”

Earlier this month Mount Congreve Gardens also won the ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ as the Georgina Campbell Awards and Mount Congreve Gardens has been selected as a winner in the 2023 World Garden Awards, the presentation of this award takes place next week.

Mount Congreve House was officially opened to the public earlier this year, following capital funding from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, Fáilte Ireland and €1.2million funding from Waterford City and County Council.

Mount Congreve Gardens along with the Stables Café and its onsite estate accommodation is open year-round. For further details see www.mountcongreve.com

The full Conde Nast list can be read here: https://www.cntraveller.com/article/best-places-to-go-in-uk-and-ireland-2024

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By Waterford City & County Council

Phase 3 of works at Farronshoneen Roundabout

Phase 3  of the construction works at Farronshoneen Roundabout are due to commence on Thursday, November 16th  and continue for 5 working days until Wednesday, November 22nd.

The works will entail the reconstruction of the east bound lane of the Outer Ring Road coming off the roundabout (i.e. between Farronshoneen Roundabout and Waterford University Hospital).

During this stage all routes will remain open to traffic, however Stop / Go controls will be in place on all four legs of the roundabout for the duration, resulting in some delays to traffic in the area.

Waterford City and County Council apologies for inconvenience caused.

By Waterford City & County Council

Reminder: Sustainable Eating Talk with dietician Aoife McDonald

Join registered Dietitian, Aoife McDonald where she will share her knowledge on how to incorporate sustainable, nutritious eating into your life on tomorrow, Thursday 16th November at 7pm in Carrickphierish Library.

This presentation is free but places are limited. Click here to reserve a place.

The following topics will be covered in this free presentation:

  • What is sustainable eating and why is it important
  • Building balanced & nutritious meals
  • How food production impacts the environment
  • The benefits of sustainable eating
  • Practical tips on how to eat more sustainably
  • Reducing food waste
  • Tips on how we can be more sustainable at Christmas
  • Q & A

This presentation is part of the Waterford Healthy Ireland at your Library initiative. For more information, please go to our website, here.

Aoife McDonald is a CORU Registered Consultant Dietitian from The Digestive Health Clinic.

For more information, please phone 051 849696 or email library@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Good news for Built Heritage in Waterford

Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage recently announced two funding schemes for Protected Structures and historic buildings: the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2024 and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2024.

Since 2016, Waterford City and County has been allocated  €1.4 million for conservation projects under these schemes. So far this has supported 137 projects, provided over 10,000 days of employment and has generated a spend of €3 million. These figures do not include the non-conservation element of projects which generated additional employment and spend.  The projects ranged in scope from essential repairs of rainwater goods, walls, windows, thatch roofs, stained glass, to large-scale repairs of buildings.

The Department notes that the quality of our historic built environment can have a profound effect on how we live. It contributes to the vitality of our cities, towns, villages and countryside, instils a sense of pride of place, and enhances the quality of our everyday lives.

The historic built environment makes a significant contribution to economic prosperity by attracting investment, providing direct and indirect employment, as well as sustaining a traditional skills base for wider application. Our built heritage is one of the main attractions for visitors to Ireland, so its conservation also reinforces and promotes our tourism industry as well as contributing to the regeneration of urban and rural areas.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2024 

The BHIS scheme seeks to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale, labour-intensive projects and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of Protected Structures and in certain cases, the conservation of structures within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA). Funding awards made under the scheme will be between €2,500 and €15,000, with applicants matching in full the grants being awarded. In relation to projects funded within an ACA, the maximum amount is €10,000 per individual project.

The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2024

Funding for the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) is being made available as part of Project Ireland 2040. Total funding available nationally under the Historic Structures fund in 2024 will be €4 million.

Stream 1 will offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and is aimed at essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures.

Stream 1, Historic Shopfronts sub-stream – To incentivise the conservation of historic shopfronts, each Local Authority is invited to submit an additional application under Stream 1 for eligible essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of historic shop facades, windows, signage and other associated details to safeguard them and keep them in use. Local Authorities are also invited to make an additional application for Irish-language shopfronts.

Stream 2 will offer a small number of grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where a clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or a clear residential benefit has been demonstrated (such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary)

A grant of over €200,000 may be awarded in exceptional circumstances where a case is made by the applicant in relation to the significance of the project and the works proposed.

Vernacular Structures Stream – In the context of A Living Tradition: A Strategy to Enhance the Understanding, Minding and Handing on of Our Built Vernacular Heritage (2021), the stream for vernacular structures is being retained for 2024, with funding of €150,000. The purpose of the stream is to support conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected. Such structures may be located within an Architectural Conservation Area.

These schemes will be administered by Waterford City and County Council. The criteria with a complete list of qualifying works, the application forms and checklist, and the guidance notes for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2024 and Historic Structures Fund 2024 are now available on https://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/media/grants/index.htm

Completed application forms and photos of the structures to be submitted by email only to Planning@waterfordcouncil.ie by 5pm, January 19th, 2024. Only applications received by this date will be considered.  Please ensure that the grant scheme name is in the subject line and note that all forms must be completed in full, in order to be processed. Successful applicants must have the works completed by September 27th 2024.

For further information about the schemes or to submit the application form please contact: Rosemary Ryall, Executive Conservation Officer, Waterford City and County Council by emailing rryall@waterfordcouncil.ie

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By Waterford City & County Council

The Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2024

Funding for the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) is being made available as part of Project Ireland 2040. Total funding available nationally under the Historic Structures fund in 2024 will be €4 million

1. Stream 1 will offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and is aimed at essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures.

2. Stream 1, Historic Shopfronts sub-stream – To incentivise the conservation of historic shopfronts, each Local Authority is invited to submit an additional application under Stream 1 for eligible essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of historic shop facades, windows, signage and other associated details to safeguard them and keep them in use. Local Authorities are also invited to make an additional application for Irish-language shopfronts.

3. Stream 2 will offer a small number of grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:

a. A clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or

b. A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated (such projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary)

A grant of over €200,000 may be awarded in exceptional circumstances where a case is made by the applicant in relation to the significance of the project and the works proposed.

4. Vernacular Structures Stream – In the context of A Living Tradition: A Strategy to Enhance the Understanding, Minding and Handing on of Our Built Vernacular Heritage (2021), the stream for vernacular structures is being retained for 2024, with funding of €150,000. The purpose of the stream is to support conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected. Such structures may be located within an Architectural Conservation Area. All local authorities can apply for funding for specific projects of between €5,000 and €10,000.

The scheme will be administered by the Conservation Section,  Waterford City and County Council.   If you are interested, please download the application form and checklist.  There is  also a guidance  to assist applicants with information in relation to the application process and operation. All forms are also available in Irish.

Completed application forms and photos of the structures to be submitted only  by email  to Planning@waterfordcouncil.ie by 5pm on 19th  of January 2024. Only applications received by this date  will be considered.  Please ensure that the grant scheme name is in the subject line and note that all forms must be completed in full, in order to be processed. Successful applicants must have the works completed by the 27th of September 2024.

If  you have any queries in relation to the schemes or wish to submit the application form by post  please contact: Rosemary Ryall, Executive Conservation Officer, Waterford City and County Council. e-mail:  rryall@waterfordcouncil.ie

Downloads

By Waterford City & County Council

Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2024

The BHIS scheme seeks to leverage private capital for investment in small-scale, labour-intensive projects and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of Protected Structures and in certain cases, the conservation of structures within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA). Funding awards made under the scheme will be between €2,500 and €15,000, with applicants matching in full the grants being awarded. In relation to projects funded within an ACA, the maximum amount is €10,000 per individual project.

The scheme will be administered by the Conservation Section,  Waterford City and County Council.   If you are interested, please download the application form and checklist.  There is  also a guidance booklet   and a  list  of qualifying works and non-qualifying works  to assist applicants with information in relation to the application process and operation.

  • Completed application forms and photos of the structures to be submitted only by email to Planning@waterfordcouncil.ie by 5pm on 19th  of January 2024.

Only applications received by this date  will be considered.  Please ensure that the grant scheme name is in the subject line and note that all forms must be completed in full, in order to be processed. Successful applicants must have the works completed by  the 27th of September 2024.

If you have any queries in relation to the schemes or wish to submit the application form by post  please contact: Rosemary Ryall, Executive Conservation Officer, Waterford City and County Council. e-mail:  rryall@waterfordcouncil.ie

Downloads

By Waterford City & County Council

Moladh chun bóithre atá ag freastal ar fhorbairt ag Fáinne Na Farraige a fhógairt mar Bhóithre Poiblí

Tugtar fógra leis seo de bhun Alt 11 Fo-alt (1)(b)(iii) d’Acht na mBóithre 1993 go bhfuil sé beartaithe agComhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge na bóithre thíosluaite a chlárú mar Bhóithre Poiblí.

  • Bóithre a fhreastalaíonn ar fhorbairt ag Fáinne Na Farraige, An Rinn

Tá an líníocht a thaispeánann na bóithre atá le glacadh i gcúram ar fáil lena iniúchadh thíos, nó is féidir féachaint ar chóipeanna inár Ranna Seirbhísí do Chustaiméirí i gCé Dáibhéid, Dún Garbhán nó ar Shráid Nua Bailey ar feadh tréimhse míosa suas go dtí an 13 Nollaig, 2023 agus an lá sin san áireamh.

Léarscáil (Cliceáil le haghaidh leagan níos mó)

Is féidir aighneachtaí nó tuairimí maidir leis an togra chun na bóithre a chlárú mar Bhóithre Poiblí a dhéanamh i scríbhinn suas go dtí an 27ú Nollaig, 2023. Cuir ainm na forbartha i líne ábhair nahaighneachta, le do thoil.

Sa Post: Aideen Jacob, Oifigeach Riaracháin, Rannóg na mBóithre, Áras Menapia, An Meal, Port Láirge.
Trí Ríomhphost: submissionsroads@waterfordcouncil.ie

Cuir ‘Glacadh i gCúram – Fáinne na Farraige, An Rinn’ i líne an ábhair le do thoil.

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