Despite the economic crisis, Waterford City Council’s planning department continues to receive a significant number of applications for major developments, the latest of which proposes a 150-bed hotel overlooking the People’s Park.

The application, made by the Northern Ireland-based McAleer and Rushe Group, is seeking the demolition of existing industrial sheds and construction of a mixed use development on the former Brook’s site on the Newtown Road. Spread over 2 eight and nine storey blocks, the proposed development will include

The first block, varying in height from 4 storeys to 9 storeys, will consist of two commercial/retail units at ground floor level, two commercial/ office units on the first floor and a total of 72 No. apartments at the 2nd to 8th floor levels, together 80 No. underground car parking spaces. The three to nine storey Block B will consist of a 150 bed Hotel and commercial unit, along with a further 53 underground car parking spaces and 44 surface level parking spaces.

Plans are also in motion for the city’s first noodle bar, to be constructed as part of a three and four storey building in John Street. The City Council-approved development, to be constructed by brothers Daryl and Chris Kavanagh, will also include a number of overhead apartments. Numbers 29 and 30 John Street will be demolished to facilitate construction.

A mixed use development set to accommodate several retail units is to be constructed on the site of the former Leo Harte (Esso) filling station at the junction of the Tramore and Cork roads. A previous application to build a drive through fast food restaurant on the site was turned down.

The City Council has received further information from Leebury Developments regarding a new neighbourhood centre on the Carrickphierish Road that will facilitate residential, commercial, medical, leisure and recreational uses .

This development comprises four storey above ground level onto the Carrickphierish Road and will include an anchor convenience unit and a further 21 retail units, two restaurants and a bar, a medical centre and pharmacy, a leisure centre and beauticians, along with offices and apartments. A final decision on this development is due early next week.

Finally the local authority has refused permission for the demolition of a wall on Exchange Street and construction of a mixed use 5-7 storey development on a half acre site that would have included commercial space on the ground floor level and a total of 68 apartments overhead.