Waterford SETU gets go ahead to purchase former Waterford Crystal site

Approval has been granted for the purchase of 20.3 acres of land on the former site of Waterford Crystal on the Cork Road in Waterford which will allow for the expansion of SETU Waterford. 

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today granted approval for the South East Technological University to conclude the purchase of the Waterford Crystal site in Waterford.

SETU will now sign final contracts to purchase 20.3 acres of the 37-acre Waterford Crystal site.

Speaking about the conclusion of the acquisition process, Minister Harris said: “This is a major moment for the development of the South East Technological University

“We know this is an iconic site, which has been derelict for almost 15 years. Today, it becomes part of the SETU footprint in Co Waterford.

“We know the history of the site but the future is now certain too. The Crystal site is no more. This is now another part of the SETU campus”.

The purchase of this site satisfies a number of wider local and regional objectives through the reusing/repurposing of a prominent brownfield site in the city, he outlined.

The minister added that the investment will allow SETU to cater for future student growth, address the current shortfall in space requirements and allow the Technological University to be a driver of economic and social development in Waterford.

Dr Alan Wall, CEO of the Higher Education Authority, said: "The purchase of the Waterford Crystal site in Waterford is a significant moment in the history of SETU and a major milestone in the proposed expansion of the Waterford Campus.

“The HEA and SETU have been working closely to ensure the conclusion of the acquisition of this iconic site. This strategic purchase will address a number of local and regional objectives and will facilitate future student growth for SETU.

“With the assistance of the HEA, SETU will proceed to develop a Business Case for the development of the proposed site under our Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF)”.

President of SETU Professor Veronica Campbell warmly welcomed today’s announcement. 

Professor Campbell said: “SETU is delighted to secure ministerial approval to move swiftly ahead with the purchase of the former Waterford Crystal site and we look forward to signing contracts within the fortnight.

"I would like to thank Minister Harris for his ongoing support and enthusiasm for this project and I look forward to his further engagement on the reimagining of this iconic site.”

Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins has also warmly welcomed the confirmation by his party colleague Minister Harris of the purchase of the land.

Senator Cummins said: “I am absolutely delighted to finally have this strategically placed site purchase concluded and I understand that a formal signing of the contracts is being organised by SETU in the coming weeks. However, the important message from today is that following due diligence, formal approval has been given for the purchase price which was reached earlier this year with the vendor Mr. Noel Frisby. This is a great day for SETU and I would like to commend all those who have worked on this project, particularly over the last twelve months”.

“I want to thank Mr Frisby for his willingness to engage in the process and reach agreement with SETU for the benefit of Waterford and the entire region. I know that SETU President Veronica Campbell, Mr Frisby and the Irish Strategic Investment Fund have very ambitious plans for a University Innovation & Enterprise Quarter which they are looking forward to setting that out in more detail at the formal signing of contracts.

Senator Cummins views the portion of the site remaining in private ownership as a potentially important opportunity. “The fact that a portion of the site is remaining in private ownership will give the flexibility to be able to deliver building solutions in a way that may not be possible on state-owned land and this could prove very useful in creating that mix of industry, education and research.

He added “While some continually attempt to talk down our new university which is less than 18 months in existence, I believe this narrative does a great disservice to the excellent leadership team, researchers, lecturers, students and the wider SETU community who are working hard day in day out to develop and grow our new university in Waterford and across the South East region”.

“I have said it time and again, those that dismiss the importance of this acquisition are completely missing the importance of this site from both a practical and symbolic perspective. I firmly believe this site acquisition future proofs the growth of the new university in Waterford City and that over time it will regenerate a strategically located brownfield site which once employed thousands of people and repurpose it to educate and accommodate the next generation of young workers and industry," Senator Cummins said.

Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh said: “Not unexpected but really welcome news breaking this morning that the government has completed the acquisition of the Waterford Crystal site for the expansion of the SETU campus in Waterford. A lot of long and tricky political work was needed to get to this point, and I’m delighted to see it over the line.

“The Waterford Crystal site has been a totem in many people’s eyes of Waterford’s fortunes. Many of us remember it in its heyday, a real statement for people approaching our city. In recent years, its dereliction has been a statement of a different kind

“I’ve pushed hard for the acquisition of this site. I’ve always believed it’s the right place for our university to expand. It keeps it at the very heart of the communities I know it’s proud to serve – Lismore Park, Larchville, Ballybeg – but it also brings it closer now to the city centre. That will strengthen the connection between the students studying in SETU and Waterford City, with both an economic and a cultural benefit to both.

“I regard this as the conclusion of the first Act in terms of building a University of substance for the people of the Southeast. We’ve established the University, we’ve made some very good appointments to key roles and we’ve now essentially doubled the footprint of the Waterford campus to provide for much needed growth. Now we have to push on, we have to deliver the capital investment to develop the site, to finally deliver the long-promised Engineering Building, to develop much-needed on-site student accommodation. And we have to push things on in terms of the academic offering as well. SETU has strong bids in for new schools of Vetenary and Pharmacy – I’ve made the case repeatedly to Min. Harris that Waterford would be an excellent choice for these school.

“So, a good day, an important step, but none of us with an interest in developing a top quality university offering in Waterford City will be resting on our laurels, we’ll be pushing on from here,” Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said.