A meeting took place between Councillors for Waterford’s Metropolitan District and Councillors for the Piltown District in Kilkenny (which includes Ferrybank), on March 4 last.
Although meetings like this are not uncommon, this one held extra significance as Waterford and Kilkenny Council will be on opposite sides of the High Court courtroom on June 11 for the judicial review into the development of the Ferrybank Shopping Centre.
Waterford Council’s decision to oppose the Dunnes Stores development had drawn remarks of disbelief and disappointment from the South Kilkenny councillors.
The cross-border meeting was held behind closed doors, although it is understood that Ferrybank Shopping Centre was an item on the agenda.
The Munster Express spoke to Fine Gael Councillor and Cathaoirleach for the Piltown District, Pat Dunphy, who explained that the meeting went well, saying that the Councillors from Waterford were supportive of the Ferrybank Shopping Centre development.
While this may seem surprising, the decision to appeal the planning permission for the Shopping Centre development was not voted on by the Councillors—it was a decision made by the Council’s executive management.
A survey conducted by The Munster Express at the time of Waterford Council’s appeal found that 12 councillors supported the judicial review, while 11 opposed it. Although some of these asked not to be named in the article, another 9 were either undecided or provided no comment.
Cllr. Dunphy explained that the meeting was very productive, as they covered issues like increased capacity in the train station to the benefit of both sides of the Suir, Active Travel, delayed road works, and more. Naturally, Ferrybank Shopping Centre was an issue of significance.
“We had a very productive meeting,” said Cllr. Dunphy, “there was a lot of support shown”
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
