Developers have opportunity to invest in protected buildings

PROPERTY developers in Waterford are to be given a chance to invest in protected structures in the city and transform them, where suitable and appropriate, into thriving commercial hubs.

Waterford City Council has announced it has relaxed its planning restrictions on protected structures and is more open to positive commercial development of such buildings.

Strict council rules in Waterford meant that such buildings could only be developed for community projects and purposes up to now. The upkeep of such buildings would also fall under the charge of the local authority.

However, the relaxed guidelines mean that properties which the council struggled to maintain in the past will be able to house some commercial enterprises, a welcome move for the city, according to local councillor Mary Roche.

The independent councillor says it heralds a new era in development.

“We have had buildings in our city, like the Ursuline Convent, fall into various states of disrepair. Religious orders such as the convents or brothers who own these buildings neither have the people nor the money to maintain them. The buildings, because they were not commercially attractive, were not attracting investors. I now hope the usages which will be allowed by the local authority will encourage investors to come in and to prevent buildings fall into disrepair.”