Permission granted for new housing estate in Waterford city as council decision overturned
The development will see the construction of 71 housing units at an address of Williamstown, Waterford
Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a new housing estate in Waterford city.
An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted permission for the construction of 71 housing units to the west of the Farronshoneen Roundabout, at an address of Williamstown, Waterford.
The development will consist of 12 two-bedroom houses, four three-bedroom houses, six four-bedroom houses, 13 three-bedroom terrace units, two three-storey apartment blocks and one four-storey apartment block.
The three-storey apartment blocks will consist of nine one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units.
Meanwhile, the four-storey block will have one one-bedroom apartment and four two-bedroom apartments.
There are also plans for an external communal bin store and an external bike store.
As well as that, a number of associated site works are set to be carried out, including foul and surface water drainage, water mains, detention ponds, swales and new entrance walls and piers at the Williamstown Road.
Pedestrian connections to the Williamstown Road at the Farronshoneen Roundabout, car parking, landscaping and public lighting are also planned.
Waterford City and County Council had previously refused permission for the development on November 10, 2025.
In outlining its decision, the council raised concerns over the steeply sloping vehicular entrance onto the public road.
It argued that this entrance would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.
The council added it was not satisfied that it has been adequately demonstrated that the development would not have a negative impact on the neighbouring residential property to the northeast of the site, by way of over-looking and traffic movements.
It was also not satisfied that the surface water drainage proposals were satisfactorily addressed.
Finally, the council added that, following consultation with Uisce Éireann, it was not clear that it was technically feasible to connect to the public water supply and the public foul sewer in the area.
However, the applicant, MKDB Developments Ltd, subsequently appealed the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála, which overturned the council’s verdict.
In its decision, the commission stated that the proposed development would provide a high quality of residential accommodation and associated open space provision for prospective residents.
It argued that it would not seriously injure the residential amenities of property in the vicinity and would be acceptable in terms of pedestrian and traffic safety.
It added that it believed that the development would be capable of being adequately served by wastewater, surface water, and water supply networks.
The commission concluded by stating that the construction of the estate would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.