WNQ – Project Memo

Introduction

The eight-hectare brownfield site at Waterford North Quays was designated as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) in 2016. Waterford City and County Council (WCCC) has made significant progress in developing the brownfield site, initiating the development with the preparation of a planning scheme for the SDZ site that outlines an integrated plan-led approach to the North Quays project.

Harcourt Developments was appointed as developer for the SDZ site in November 2022 and are currently collaborating with the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) on a joint development proposal for the site, subject to due diligence and the necessary approvals, of attracting capital on a commercial basis. The Land Development Agency is engaged in respect of the residential element. A planning application for a mixed-use development on the SDZ site will be submitted by July 2023, with construction due to commence before the end of the 2023 and phase one to be complete in 2025. The primary objectives of the overall North Quays project are as follows: – Address the relative underperformance of Waterford and the South-East region – Act as a catalyst for further investment in Waterford, particularly to the north of the City – Create a sustainable, compact and natural extension of the City Centre – Provide the infrastructure to allow for private sector investment in the SDZ site and overall regeneration of the urban environment – Enhance transportation links and promote more sustainable modes of transport – Improve connectivity and land use integration that meets the access requirements of the city and its environs.

Public Infrastructure Project

WCCC is progressing public infrastructure works to facilitate access to the SDZ site comprising the following main elements:
• Sustainable Transport Bridge – including South Plaza public realm
• Integrated Transport Hub – including relocation of Plunkett Railway Station
• Access Infrastructure – enhanced multi-modal access including 4 new rail overbridges, Greenway links and flood defences

Planning permission is secured for the infrastructure works and a number of advance enabling works contracts are complete or in progress. The main contract for infrastructure works was awarded to BAM in November 2022, and the start of the substantial construction works is being marked by a ground breaking ceremony on the 6th March 2023.

All works to the Sustainable Transport Bridge and South Plaza, Integrated Transport Hub and Access infrastructure are due for completion in 2025.

Kilkenny County Council is also progressing Urban Regeneration & Development Fund (URDF) infrastructural improvement projects in the Ferrybank area that complement the North Quays development, supporting housing activation, economic development and smarter travel options along the road and greenway networks. Iarnród Éireann will complete infrastructure upgrades on the rail corridor to facilitate the opening of the Transport Hub.

The Public Infrastructure Project is being funded in partnership between the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund (URDF), the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Waterford City & County Council. The overall level of estimated public infrastructure investment is €207m. This includes contracts for enabling works (demolition, site clearance, utility diversions, rock slope stabilisation, drainage & flood
defence works, footpath widening and pump station enabling works) as well as the main construction contract.