Waterford North Quays

Given the lack of supply and the amount of substandard accommodation requiring upgrades across the board nationwide im sure there’ll be a good level of demand for new 1 bed units in a south facing waterfront setting overlooking a city projected to grow steadily over the next few decades.

I’ve said whatever I felt needed to be said in my original post. No one advocates forcing people out of their homes. I simply want to see more supply and choice and higher standard apartments, and the option there for whoever wants that kind of thing . It’s not just for elderly people either. Single Professionals , Commuters to Dublin or Carlow or Kildare , People who might work overseas and want a base but outside Dublin , Investors , Parents of overseas Students etc etc. The planning application gives every indication that these units will be to a reasonably high standard. The Architects involved are reputable. the Developers were involved in Titanic Quarter. The current Regulations demand high quality of Construction. I fail to see the connection between a prominent Waterfront location in 2026 and units built to lower or non existent standards 20 yrs ago in side streets behind O Connell st.

I'll wait and see on the developer side of this. Have my doubts.

It will lead to a transient population and not a community ..people who buy /rent 1 bed apartments see it is an entry onto the housing ladder stay for 1 or 2 years and then move on. We need more 2 and 3 bed high quality apartments not more 1 bed apartments..the government have got it wrong again

And even the limited retail is also being scaled back now too..replaced with yet more apartments

https://www.waterford-news.ie/news/appeal-lodged-against-north-quays-development_arid-90655.html

One objection so far

That's of no consequence. The retail offering was so small as to be non existent.

Dunno how these little row of houses on Sion Row were not CPO'd during the planning for the NQ's. I thought that buying them & demolishing them would have made the design of the roads & surrounding area a lot smoother.

North Quays Redesign Confirmed: 700 Single‑Bed Units Reserved for MAMIL Residents

Retail Stays — But Only for Cycling‑Related Enterprises as Waterford Aims to Become Ireland’s Cycling Capital

By Pilar Olof, Senior Correspondent

WATERFORD — In a bold policy shift that has stunned developers and delighted (or alarmed) local cyclists, Waterford City & County Council has announced the finalised redesign of the North Quays residential blocks: 700 single‑bed units, all reserved exclusively for MAMILs — Middle‑Aged Men in Lycra.

The change significantly expands the original plan (by doubling the number of apartments), which would have provided 350 residential units alongside commercial, hotel, and aparthotel development.

Greenway Growth Drives the MAMIL Migration

Officials explained that the decision follows a “dramatic rise” in Greenway usage and the behavioural predictability of the MAMIL demographic — which reportedly shows “strong attraction to long, uninterrupted cycling corridors.”

This aligns with the city’s expanding active‑travel infrastructure, including:

The 207m Sustainable Transport Bridge, due to open in Q2 2027

The new Transport Hub, progressing through completion before final commissioning into 2027

The Greenways connecting Waterford to Dungarvan and New Ross

“We know how MAMILs behave,” a Council planner said.

“They seek smooth surfaces, long gradients, and somewhere to talk loudly about gear ratios. Waterford is now perfectly suited.”

Retail Retained — But Exclusively for Cycling‑Focused Businesses

While the early redesign considered removing all retail for “flow efficiency,” the Council has now confirmed that retail will remain, but only for enterprises that directly support the growing cycling ecosystem.

The new retail mix — replacing the general‑purpose shops originally included in the SDZ plan — will consist of over a dozen cycling‑dedicated businesses, including:

A high‑end bike‑fit and aerodynamic testing lab

A “Lycra Lifestyle” boutique

A cadence‑themed coffee chain

A premium inner‑tube and tyre wall showroom

A MAMIL‑only barber offering “helmet‑compatible trims”

A cold‑tub & recovery spa

A bike‑nutrition dispensary specialising in gels, electrolytes, and heart‑rate‑friendly pastries

Economic development officials claim this will help position Waterford as Ireland’s Cycling Capital, with the North Quays becoming the country’s first “Cycling‑Only Retail District.”

Infrastructure Works Continue Unaffected

Despite the radical repositioning of the SDZ, public infrastructure timelines remain unchanged. Works on the realigned Abbey Road and Dock Road continue toward their 2026 completion, while bridge finishing works — including lighting, parapets, and street furniture — are progressing through 2026.

The Transport Hub, designed to integrate train, bus, taxi, cycling, and active‑travel modes, remains a key component of the MAMIL relocation strategy, as it enables seamless transitions between commuting, leisure cycling, and mid‑ride coffee.

Local Reactions: Confusion, Amusement, and Concern Over Lycra Density

Reactions across the city were immediate:

“700 MAMILs in one place? That’s an entire peloton block.”

“Is there enough coffee in Waterford for this?”

“If they repaint the bridge in fluorescent yellow lycra, I’m moving to Kilkenny.”

A cyclist interviewed on the Quay was more enthusiastic:

“Honestly? This is the best urban‑planning decision since the invention of the bike lane.”

Council Reassures Residents

The Council insists the plan will enhance Waterford’s urban vibrancy:

“This is the natural evolution of a sustainable city. Some cities have tech hubs. Some have financial districts. Waterford will have Lycra.”

That was a long scroll!

The stroll to nowhere

I presume that’s April fools , speaking of Trump this war needs to end fast before we end up again in a post Covid inflation recession. It’s bad enough the downgrading that’s happened before we got started but anything more would be a complete disaster .

unfortunately this could get very very dodgy, inflation is/will occur, therefore central banks will wrongly react and yank up rates(again, this is not a money supply problem!), so get ready!

Assume you mean heat pumps. What's the cost of retrofitting a home with a heat pump. Let's say €15,000 (Conservative figure). There's 1.8 million households in Ireland. Let's say 75% don't have heat pumps (conservative figure) then you are talking €20.3 BILLION to upgrade these homes. And that's only talking about the heat pumps not the added insulation and double/triple glazing that some houses will need.

Then when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow, where is the energy for these heat pumps to come from? Please dear God do not say battery storage as you can add another three zeros to that figure I mentioned above.

all of them, im also pro nuclear, but shur best of luck with that one in ireland, again, i wouldnt be worrying about it, we re gonna remain pretty much as is, so prepare for a future of instability, and that ll be that