Waterford City and County Council has published a Draft Development Plan which sets out a framework or blue print for the proper planning and sustainable development for the whole of Waterford for the City and County for the six year period from 2022 to 2028. The Draft Plan has been prepared having regard to the ambitious population and employment targets set out in the National Planning Framework (NPF), the Southern Region Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) and Government Policy and sets out a clear pathway for Waterford to achieve these targets.

The Draft Plan places a strong emphasis on implementation and delivery through Active Land Management processes, placing a particular focus on housing delivery, and in this regard aims to provide certainty to Government, State Agencies, key stakeholders and the communities of County Waterford as to the optimum manner in which the Project Ireland 2040 targets will be achieved. The Draft Plan acknowledges the need to be flexible and adaptive in order to respond to and shape changing circumstances.

The Draft Plan consists of 4 Volumes as follows;

• Volume One: Main Policy Section.
• Volume Two: Development Management Standards.
• Volume Three: Appendices (Inc. Environmental Reports (SEA/AA/HNDA/SFRA).
• Volume Four: Book of Maps.

It is intended that the new Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 will be the first consolidated and unitary development plan for the entire functional area of Waterford City and County Council, following the merger of Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council on the 1st June 2014 (Local Government Reform Act 2014).

When finally adopted in August 2022, this plan will replace the current Waterford County Development Plan 2011-2017, Waterford City Development Plan 2013-2019, Dungarvan Town Council Development Plan 2012-2018, and three Local Area Plans for Tramore, Lismore and Portlaw.

The Draft Plan, as well as the associated environmental reports, can be viewed online at: https://consult.waterfordcouncil.ie/en/consultation/draft-waterford-city-and-county-development-plan-2022-2028

In addition, copies of the plan are available to view by appointment at the Council’s Customer Care Desks in Waterford City and Dungarvan.

Submissions and observations on the Draft Plan are invited up until 5:00pm on Monday 30th August 2021 from individuals and groups interested in the future development of the City and County. Such submissions can be made online via the council’s dedicated public consultation portal (consult.waterfordcouncil.ie) or in writing, marked “Draft City and County Development Plan” and addressed to the Planning Department, Waterford City and County Council, Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford City.

To inform this process, and to give the public an opportunity to engage directly with the planning authority, it is proposed to hold a series of focused online evening consultations at 7:00pm on the following dates:

• Tuesday 20th July Strategic Vision, Population, Housing, Employment and Education
• Wednesday 21st July Environment, Heritage, Conservation, Tourism and Amenity
• Thursday 22nd July Transportation, Climate Change, Infrastructure and Regeneration
• Tuesday 27th July Local Placemaking – Waterford Metropolitan Area
• Wednesday 28th July Local Placemaking – Comeragh Municipal District
• Thursday 29th July Local Placemaking – Dungarvan/Lismore Municipal District

Links to these online events will be posted on the council’s dedicated public consultation portal (consult.waterfordcouncil.ie)

The Mayor of Waterford of Waterford, Cllr. Joe Kelly welcomed publication of the Draft Plan stating:

“The Draft Plan has been prepared following an intensive series of meetings and engagements between the Elected Members of Council and the Executive, in addition to a public consultation process seeking views on strategic matters at the Pre-Draft stage. This publication is an opportunity for individuals and groups across the City and County to consider the contents of the Draft Plan and I would strongly encourage people to get involved and have their say in the future development of Waterford.”