Regeneration & Investment
North Quays
This major public infrastructure partnership project between Waterford City and County Council and Irish Rail to provide access to the North Quays SDZ on the north side of the River Suir and link to the existing Waterford city centre on the south side of the River. The project consists of 3 transport-focused infrastructure sub-projects:
- An Integrated Transport Hub through relocation of the existing Plunkett Train Station and the formation of a new integrated, more central public transport interchange on a brownfield site to the north of the River Suir and SDZ site.
- A Sustainable Transport Corridor through the construction of a new Sustainable Transport Bridge (facilitating pedestrian, cyclist & courtesy shuttle bus). The bridge will link the North and South Quays. It will also create an urban greenway facilitating a connection between the existing Waterford to Dungarvan Greenway and the Waterford to New Ross Greenway currently under construction.
- City Centre Access, this project will result in improved multi-modal access infrastructure on Abbey and Dock Road as well as bridge structures (two vehicular and two pedestrian) over the existing rail line to provide access into the SDZ site.
In November 2022, the Government approved €170.6 million investment in Waterford’s North Quays. This public infrastructure will act as a leverage for private sector development to deliver a new mixed use city quarter in the SDZ as an extension to the existing city centre. The project will also build on significant city centre regeneration interventions funded under URDF Call 2, to transform the city and expand economic activity in the South-East.
View Story Map View North Quays/URDF Updates
URDF : Waterford City Centre Regeneration
URDF: Waterford City Centre Regeneration consists of 21 projects divided between two of the city’s quarters; the Viking Triangle which has been the subject of ongoing development over the last 15 years and the more recently proposed Cultural Quarter of Waterford City Centre. The projects are grouped into clusters including:
- The Parade Quay Cluster consisting of a residential, commercial / retail development within a new public square as well as the conversion of a 19 th century church hall adjacent to the National Museum of Time into cultural and office facilities, in the heart of the Viking Triangle.
- The Hanover Street Cluster includes a group of buildings that extend from Merchants Quay along Hanover Street to O’Connell Street. It will see the refurbishment of existing heritage buildings and a new purpose-built development to provide an integrated Smart SE technological building and hub that will utilise city-generated data to create enterprise opportunities.
- The Thomas Street cluster forms a strategic artery to the Waterford Cultural Quarter. It proposes to activate a number of vacant and derelict sites and to remodel the ‘Art House’ on Thomas Street.
- The Beach Tower Square Cluster proposes the refurbishment and repurposing of two no. four storey Georgian buildings on Great Georges Street and the regeneration of a back land site to the south connecting the Cultural Quarter with the City’s main retail area, including feasibility for a new street at Jenkins Lane.
- Lady Lane, an important 18th century street, provides a key link between the Viking Triangle and the retail area of the city. It is proposed to regenerate this area and support and expand the existing community through the development of residential, commercial and community facilities.
- The Public Realm cluster focuses on two adjacent projects, the re-imaging of O’Connell Street as a shared public space and also the creation of a new Gateway Plaza and amenity space for the cultural quarter at the western end of the Quays.
The projects are at different stages in their lifecycles, with the first refurbishment project in the Hanover Cluster (Barker Place) delivered in August 2023. It is anticipated that all regeneration works will be complete by 2027.
THRIVE
Waterford is one of five urban centres set to benefit from funding of up to €7 million each under THRIVE funding, the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme, awarded under Ireland’s two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes.
This funding will be used to regenerate the largest early 18th century townhouse on one of the oldest streets in Waterford’s Viking Triangle area; 18 Lady Lane which is currently vacant and derelict, will be converted into a visitor attraction, Tir na nÓg – the land of the young, to create a magical journey of discovery celebrating children’s past, present and future while conserving the original fabric and decorative internal features of the building to ensure authenticity is retained.
Waterford Cultural Quarter
WCQ : Waterford Cultural Quarter is a project currently being managed by Waterford City & County Council and is led by a steering group of individuals and organisations based on the cultural and creative sectors. We hope it will play a vital development role for Waterford city centre, nurturing and attracting distinctive cultural and creative production and generating a dynamic cultural life for the area that enhances the city’s retail and tourism offering.
The WCQ Strategic Plan aims to “To deliver inclusive and sustainable innovation and growth for the cultural and creative sectors of south east Ireland; to become a distinctive and engaging place to the heart of Waterford which is open, inspiring and a vital addition to the city’s creative, knowledge and visitor economy”.
Tackling Vacancies & Dereliction
Waterford City and County Council are responsible for dealing with derelict sites in Co. Waterford. The Local Authority investigate reports of dereliction and undertakes action in accordance with the Derelict Sites Act 1990.
Derelict Sites – Further Information
· What qualifies as a Derelict Site?
· What happens if my property is defined as derelict?
· How do I report a Derelict Site?
· Contact the Derelict Site team
