€300m North Quays project will enable Kilkenny and Waterford to prosper side-by-side – Minister

THE signing of the contracts for the €300 million North Quays project in Ferrybank signals the beginning of a historic development that will transform the area and create much needed employment for South Kilkenny and the wider region, Junior Minister John Paul Phelan has said.

The Minister, local TD and Ferrybank resident also spoke of his hope that the development will usher in a new era of cooperation between Kilkenny and Waterford local authorities.

Minister Phelan told KilkennyNow.ie: “This is a major step forward for both Waterford and Kilkenny. It’s great to see our two local authorities working together on a joint submission for an area which is vital to Waterford city and to the surrounding hinterland.

“Road access in this area needs to be upgraded and significant investment is needed to facilitate this development. The second bridge crossing will alleviate much of the traffic congestion in this area which saw a housing boom before the economic crash.”

Last Friday Waterford City and County Council confirmed an agreement has been signed with the European arm of Saudi retail giant Fawaz Alhokair Group to redevelop the North Quays site.

An Bord Pleanála has approved compulsory purchase orders for lands required for the project. The redevelopment of the brownfield site will include a shopping centre, office space, a hotel, and other commercial facilities, totaling more than 90,000 square metres.

Minister Phelan pointed out that while the North Quays is in Waterford, much of the necessary infrastructural development needed to facilitate its development is in Kilkenny.

He said the new “cooperative model” between the neighbouring counties will be “a blueprint for future positive development in this area”.

Minister Phelan added: “I look forward to playing my part in ensuring that the North Quays development is the key to unlocking the potential for a far brighter Waterford, a more vibrant Ferrybank and a positive investment that will help Waterford and Kilkenny to prosper and grow side-by-side.”