A notification to commence was presented to councillors during the meeting for Waterford Metropolitan District in March, which would see a major development in the heart of the Viking Triangle.
The project includes a 244 square-metre public plaza on land that is currently derelict, behind shops on the Quay, and 14 new residential apartments in vacant and under-used spaces above six existing shops on the quay-side of Reginald’s tower.
The project spans 124-130 parade quay and is complicated by the property at 126 being on the record of protected structures, while Parada Quay terrace generally is near recognised National Monuments and built over the remains of the medieval city wall.
Of the questions from Councillors, perhaps the most significant came from Seamus Ryan, who asked if any of the 14 residential apartments would be social housing. When the presenter for the Council confirmed they would not, Cllr. Ryan asked who was responsible for the decision?
“The idea being we wanted a diverse tenure of residents living in the city, as opposed to creating an over densification of social housing in any particular area. The idea was to sell the new apartments back to the private market,” the council executive replied.
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
