Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022–2028 — Chapter 3

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   Waterford City & MASP Chapter 3 Sustainable Compact Growth Sustainable Tourism Climate Action Heritage Sustainable Places and Communities Accessibility and Connectivity Infrastructure Diverse Economy and Education Rural Economy Part 2: Waterford City and MASP Strategy and Policy Objectives

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202850 Chapter 3: Waterford City & MASP 3.0 Waterford City: The NPF, RSES and MASP Waterford City is a key asset for Ireland in terms of its location, ability to compete nationally and internationally and capacity to grow and to relieve pressure on Dublin and surrounding counties. The National Planning Framework recognises Waterford’s role and potential as a national centre of scale to complement Dublin based on population and job creation supported by the South East Technological University (SETU). The targeted growth of Waterford, providing an additional c. 12,000 jobs to support and additional 27,000 – 32,000 population by 2040, is vital to the national and regional long-term growth strategy expressed in the NPF. The principles which underpin the sustainable development of Waterford City as the south-east regional city of scale with associated economic and community are set out in the NPF. The NPF recognises that the key challenge for Waterford is to build scale and enhance urban quality through employment led growth. Opportunities exist to build on the City’s existing employment base which includes pharma, med-tech and engineering/advanced manufacturing sectors, as well as emerging indigenous enterprises while enhancing Waterford’s boutique-city attractiveness, quality of life and access thereto. Waterford also offers opportunities as a location for new University expansion and support functions in areas such as financial or professional services that may wish to avoid larger urban areas. It is also an emerging tourist centre, located on the route from Rosslare to Cork and the South-West and as a destination for cruise traffic. The NPF proposes a series of key future growth enablers which have been further developed into a number of key themes and derived guiding principles and policies in the RSES MASP. The five principle themes include: • Integrated Land Use and Transportation to deliver investment and the concentric city. • Housing and Regeneration across the city and its diverse neighbourhoods to achieve compact, infrastructure led growth. • Employment and Enterprise to bring about transformational change. Strategic Objectives Plan for and deliver a future for Waterford City as envisaged in the NPF, Waterford PLUTS and Waterford City MASP (RSES) where Waterford fulfils its role as the Regional City and home to the South East Technological University. As a leading member of the MASP implementation body, in collaboration with the Southern Regional Assembly, Kilkenny County Council, State and other agencies/ stakeholders, we will implement the priorities and objectives of the Waterford MASP to support the critical mass required for Waterford City to function as a regional city of scale in support of the broader south east region. We will identify investment priorities to deliver the concentric city model founded on the principle of transportorientated and infrastructure led development.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202851 • Natural Environment to support the recreational needs of the expanding population while protecting and enhancing biodiversity; and, • Social Infrastructure of a standard to support communities and advance the learning city and county and associated social and economic development. To give effect to the guiding themes of the NPF which will enable Waterford City to fulfil its regional and national role, the following Key Future Growth Enablers for Waterford city and MASP are set out in the NPF & RSES: • Delivering the North Quays SDZ regeneration project including a new pedestrian/public transport bridge over the River Suir. • Identifying infill and regeneration opportunities to intensify housing and employment development throughout city centre and inner suburban areas. • Enabling enhanced opportunities for existing communities as development and diversification occurs, particularly through employment, learning and education support. • Progressing the sustainable development of new greenfield areas for housing and the development of supporting public transport and infrastructure. • Public realm and urban amenity projects, focused on streets and public spaces, particularly in the city centre and inner urban area in support of urban intensification. • The development and expansion of the SETU as part of the wider Multi Campus Technological University and integration with the City and region. • Provision of Citywide public transport and strategic cycleway networks. • Extension of the Waterford Greenway to link SETU to the City Centre. • Enhanced regional connectivity through improved average journey times by road to Cork, Limerick and ports within the region. • Ensuring that water supply and waste-water needs are met by new national projects to enhance Waterford’s water supply and increase wastewater treatment capacity. • Improving sustainability in terms of energy, waste management and resource efficiency and water, to include district heating and water conservation.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202852 Waterford City & County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Waterford MASP Legend: WCCC Boundary Electoral Divisions MASP Boundary Figure 3.1 Waterford MASP (Source RSES) The Development Plan and core strategy will give support through relevant policy objectives to enable the delivery of the key growth enablers and the transformational change required across Waterford City as envisaged in the NPF, RSES and MASP. We will implement the NPF, RSES and MASP through the Development Plan strategies and policy objectives over the period to 2028 and pursue specific project investment through the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration Development Fund and other available funding mechanisms. 3.1 Integrated Land Use and Transport PLUTS & WMATS The concept of integrated land use and transport planning for the city is set out in the Waterford Planning Land Use and Transport Strategy (PLUTS) 2004 – 2020 (Figure 3.2). Important infrastructure has been delivered such as the M9 Waterford to Dublin and Bridge Crossing, the improved N25 and National Port access road (N29) required to support the PLUTS adopted population scenario and growth strategy1. However, the key element of the PLUTS including the population increase and the delivery of a “concentric city model” has not significantly progressed. 1 The growth scenario envisaged by PLUTS included a population growth of 30,000 and an additional 12,800 jobs.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202853 Figure 3.2 Concentric City (Source PLUTS) To provide a new focus to deliver the concentric model and population targets, the RSES and Waterford MASP have incorporated the guiding principles of the Waterford PLUTS and in this regard Section 6 of MASP and MASP Policy Objectives 5, 6 and 7 relate to integrated land use and transport, sustainable mobility and regional connectivity along with the transport infrastructure required to deliver the concentric city of scale within the context of reduced emissions and a just transition to a low carbon society. High quality infrastructure of note includes: • Relocation of the Railway Station located on the North Quays with more direct access to city centre. • Improved connectivity between the city centre and the North Quays and wider Ferrybank area including provision of a pedestrian/public transport bridge. • Provision of an additional Downstream Crossing to provide a link to the south bank of the River Suir in the vicinity of Maypark or Ardkeen, which would serve to create greater connectivity between lands to the North and South of the Suir, improve access to University Hospital Waterford and ease congestion on Rice Bridge; • New Link Road from Abbey Road to Belmont to improve sustainable connectivity. • Enhancement of regional connectivity on the N24, N25, enhanced rail infrastructure and services and strategic links to Rosslare Europort. • Development of a comprehensive Metropolitan Area Public Transport system (bus network) including routes from the City Centre to SETU, Waterford University Hospital, Port of Waterford at Belview and from nearby towns including Tramore. • Development of sustainable travel options to support and facilitate improved access to the City Centre, from the wider urban area, north and south of the river by walking, cycling and public transport including provision for Park and Ride facilities in tandem with the Green Route, additional cycle lanes;

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202854 • Quick, frequent and convenient bus services in the City. • Development of new sustainable travel routes including greenways & blueways. • Development of a more Walkable City. • Support traffic calming measures to make the Metropolitan Area such as shared streets and pedestrian friendly environments with wider footpaths, identification of walking routes with improved signage, creation of places and spaces to meet and rest, street tree planting. • Demand management measures to encourage modal shift to bus and rail for commuters into the city from surrounding towns; and, • The preparation of a Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, along with Area Based Transport Assessments. The National Transport Agency (NTA), in conjunction with Waterford City and County Council and Kilkenny County Council have developed the Waterford Metropolitan Transport Strategy (WMATS). WMATS has informed the Development Plan in terms of the broader land use and transportation planning and demand management measures for the City over the life of the NPF while a review of PLUTS can also be undertaken once WMATS has been adopted. 3.2 Waterford City Supplementary Core Strategy The Core Strategy underpinning the unitary Development Plan is set out in Chapter 2 Part 1 of Volume 1 of the Plan. The following supplementary core strategy identifies the population targets applicable to the MASP (Table 3.1), the strategic residential locations in Waterford City (Figure 3.3) and the potential regeneration sites (Table 3.2) which may be developed during the life of the Development Plan. The supplemental core strategy identifies that while the total population for the entire MASP area (including urban and rural areas in County Kilkenny) remains consistent with the RSES, there is a move towards achieving the concentric city at a pace greater than that envisaged in the RSES. Table 3.1 Waterford City and MASP Population Targets 2016 2026 2028 2031 Waterford County 116,162 135,000 137,630 144,000 Metro Area Total (inc Kilkenny) 59,854 74,464 77,386 81,769 Waterford City & Suburbs 48,216 60,716 62,382 66,966 Waterford Rural 3,399 3,819 3,903 4,029 Waterford County 51,615 64,535 66,258 70,995 Waterford City & Suburbs 53,504 67,324 70,088 74,234

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202855 The RSES recognises that the provision of adequate residential accommodation for different housing needs and household sizes will require the identification of housing needs through housing strategies and identification and prioritisation of strategic housing locations. The following lands have been identified in the RSES for the purposes of building resilience across our existing and emerging neighbourhoods: • City South West Neighbourhood: Kilbarry (LIHAF location) which will create a potential for 450 new housing units by 2021. • City North West Neighbourhood: Carrickphierish (LIHAF location) with a potential for 200 new housing units by 2021. • Development of lands zoned for residential development in Ferrybank for c 850 units. In terms of such greenfield areas located within the built footprint of the city, we will promote and support consolidation of in two principle neighbourhoods i.e. City South West Neighbourhood (University/ Ballybeg/ Kilbarry/ Lacken), and City North West Neighbourhood (Carrickphierish to 2028 while a local area plan will be put in place for Gracedieu prior to the next Development Plan cycle). We will collaborate closely with Kilkenny County Council to implement the development of lands in Ferrybank consistent with the RSES. The development of the City South West beyond the potential housing units envisaged in the RSES to 2021 will be possible over the period of the Development Plan given the extent of new service infrastructure to facilitate growth, it is likely that City North West will offer some scope to deliver housing units beyond the 200 units envisaged in the RSES and this will take place along the spine of the Carrickphierish Road, focussed around what has been identified heretofore in City Development Plans as Neighbourhood One. The delivery of regeneration lands as identified in the RSES and other regeneration sites set out hereunder to the housing market will be pursued over the lifetime of the Development Plan by way of active land management and collaboration with state agencies such as the LDA and land owners. It terms of the Core Strategy it must be recognised however that given the landownership, scale, location and service context of these sites it will be difficult to provide a schedule or timeframe as to when the development of residential units will be achieved. The regeneration lands also hold the potential to provide additional accommodation for commercial and employment uses, particularly those located in predominantly housing areas and as such the potential housing yield figures should be treated as indicative only. In order to fully support the provisions of the Urban Development and Building Heights Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2018), the Development Plan has adopted a proactive and flexible approach to securing compact regenerative urban growth through a combination of facilitating increased densities and building heights, while also being mindful of the quality of development and balancing amenity and environmental considerations. Where substantial regeneration capacity is available on any one site it will also be important to ensure that consideration is given to the provision of an appropriate mix of residential, commercial and employment uses, especially where block delivery sequencing can facilitate this form of balanced and resilient urban regeneration which supports urban communities. Table 3.2 includes potential regeneration sites while also identifying the relevant sites which may be suitable for higher densities and taller buildings based on the following criteria: a) The provisions of WMATS and proximity to significant public transport infrastructure and/or trip generators. b) Site size and location relative to the city centre/neighbourhood/district centre. c) Proximity and orientation of the proposed site with regard to neighbouring land uses and the nature of the neighbouring use; and, d) Capacity to enhance amenity and placemaking at any location.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202856 Table 3. 2 Waterford City Potential Regeneration Sites Ref No Site Location Site Area (Ha) Issues to Note Potential Taller Buildings/ Higher Density2 OPS01 Saint Joseph's House Manor Hill 2.46 n/a OPS02 Exchange Street Site 0.18 n/a OPS03 Thomas Hill 0.21 n/a OPS04 Jenkins Lane 0.48 Site assembly OPS05 North Quays SDZ 11.72 Provision of enabling infrastructure OPS06 Former Waterford Stanley Site, Bilberry 5.05 n/a OPS07 John’s College, The Folly 5.21 Trees of amenity value to be retained and reuse of protected structures OPS08 St Otteran’s, John’s Hill 15.61 Reuse of protected structures OPS09 Former Brooks Site, Newtown Road 1.53 Site assembly OPS10 Glenville (Former Power Seeds) Dunmore Road 0.89 n/a OPS11 Kilbarry 8.31 Site assembly and new access provision OPS12 Former Waterford Crystal Site 14.96 Student accommodation, mixed commercial use / educational uses OPS13 Gasworks Site/Johnstown Business Park 2.89 n/a OPS14 Dock Road 1.85 Displacement of existing use OPS15 Industrial land at Cleaboy/ Keanes Road/ Skibereen Roads 8.15 Site clearance and displacement of existing use OPS16 Tycor industrial complex 1.63 Displacement of existing land uses OPS17 Former Ard Ri Hotel 7.75 Access and topography OPS18 Tesco Ardkeen 1.28 Retaining adequate car parking OPS19 South Quays 2.62 Preparation of design framework OPS20 Spring Garden Alley 0.09 Site assembly OPS21 Bolton Street 0.72 n/a OPS22 Former Waterford Crystal Sports Campus 9.88 n/a OPS23 Williamstown/ Outer Ring Road 13.12 n/a OPS24 Neighbourhood Centre Carrickphierish 7.29 n/a OPS25 District Centre Tramore Road 1.32 Retaining adequate car parking OPS26 O’Byrne’s Garage, The Glen 0.10 n/a OPS27 Michael Street 1.42 n/a OPS28 Ballybricken 0.75 Site assembly OPS29 Lisduggan Shopping Centre 0.82 n/a OPS30 The Glen 0.19 Site assembly 2 Sites with potential to accommodate taller buildings (Above 4 floors in height) and higher densities are identified by a green highlight.

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   WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202857 While the supplemental core strategy identifies the framework for the new spatial expression of Waterford moving towards the concentric city, the pace and sequence of how this development takes form will be dependent of a significant number of issues, in particular land ownership and release of lands to market. We will collaborate closely with landowners and developers to pursue the objectives of the core strategy, in a manner that implements the place making strategy and housing strategy of the Development Plan, and supports the role of Waterford City as an international location of scale, and a primary driver of economic and population growth in the Southern Region. Settlement Heirarchy 1 - City Metro Area 2 - Key Town 3A - Large Urban Town 3B - Urban Town 4A - Rural Towns 4B - Rural Villages 5 - Rural Nodes Hospital Education Port of Waterford Waterford Airport Regional Connectivity Shipping Lane Railway Green/Active Connectivity Retail Core Rural Economic Cluster Strategic Economic Growth Area North Quays SDZ Strategic Housing Areas Strategic Open Spaces Strategic Open Space Link Waterford MASP WCCC Boundary Waterford City & County Council Development Plan 2022 - 2028 Waterford City Core Strategy Legend: Figure 3.3 Waterford City Core Strategy Map

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    WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 202858 3.3 The Neighbourhood Strategy An essential element of a sustainable development strategy as outlined in the PLUTS, NPF and RSES is the development of a compact city, which is characterised by the consolidation of existing neighbourhoods and the establishment of new neighbourhoods. The neighbourhood strategy acknowledges and reinforces the city centre as the core of the city; a place for work, shopping, services, leisure and living, supported by a series of neighbourhoods focused on neighbourhood centres. The Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, DoEHLG, 2009 identifies criteria on planning for sustainable neighbourhoods under four main themes: provision of community facilities, efficient use of resources, amenity/quality of life issues and conservation of the built and natural environment. These are further developed in Section 6 of the NPF, Section 3 and Appendix 3 of the RSES and Chapters 7 and 8 of this Development Plan. For vibrant communities to emerge in developing neighbourhoods people must connect and develop social networks, forming an association with where they live. Thus, the challenge is to provide healthy, vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods through the provision of social and cultural neighbourhood facilities in tandem with economic and commercial infrastructure.MASP Rural MASP Rural MASP Rural The Sacred Heart / Ballytruckle / Kilcohen / Williamstown City South West Neighbourhood City North West Neighbourhood Ferrybank City Centre Larchville / Lisduggan / Lismore Park Dunmore Road / Knockboy / Blenheim Dunmore Road / Farronshoneen / Ballinakill © Ordnance Survey Ireland, © Ordnance Survey Ireland 2017 Waterford City Neighbourhoods Includes Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi License number 2014/18/CCMA/WaterfordCity&CountyCouncil. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Ordnance Survey Ireland and Government of Ireland copyright. © Ordnance Survey Ireland, 2014 Note: To view all relevant maps for the Waterford City and County Development Plan please visit https://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/media/plans_strategies/development-plan/ Figure 3.4 Waterford City Neighbourhoods

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