Kilkenny says no thanks to Waterford city

‘HANDS off our land’ is the clear message being sent to Waterford City Council by dozens who’ve made submissions on the proposed extension of the city boundary into Kilkenny.

One householder said he’ll sell up if his address changes from Kilkenny to Waterford.

Opposition to the extension is fierce. Last Wednesday, a local paper published a full-page advert on the extension, featuring a cut-out to be filled up by readers and sent to the council.

Among the politicians vehemently opposed are south Kilkenny county councillor Dick Dowling. The former Fine Gael TD and teacher lives at Newrath. His home would be part of Waterford if the extension goes ahead.

“They will never make me or mine part of Waterford. We are Kilkenny out and out and nothing that Waterford can do will ever change it.”

He said the extension is all about getting control of the Port of Waterford.

“They want to control the water and that will give them an extraordinary amount of revenue and power.”

With over a month to go to the deadline for submissions, the message so far is abundantly clear, director of housing and corporate affairs with Waterford City Council, Paddy Power, said.

“Of the submissions that have been made to us, I don’t think that anyone is in favour of the extension.

“Most of the messages simply say hands off Kilkenny. A number of the comments include a no thank you. Some give reasons for their opposition to the extension, others don’t.”

He said of the submissions received, none are from addresses within the area which will be impacted if the extension goes ahead.

“We would anticipate that in line with other matters, the bulk of submissions will come in to us closer to the closing date of September 26,” he said.

The extension would take the line of the new city bypass and affect 5,000 people, 1,600 households and 4,500 acres. It would increase the city’s size by about 30%.

Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness says the only winners will be the consultants who draw up reports on the matter. He wants Environment Minister Dick Roche to intervene now.

“The minister should put an immediate end to the nonsense being peddled by Waterford, and he should insist on both councils working in partnership to achieve what is best for south Kilkenny as contained in the development plans of Kilkenny County Council.

“Waterford City Council will have to find better ways of raising funds than stealing them from Kilkenny.”

What’s involved:

- around 5,000 people

- 1,600 households

- 4,500 acres of land

- increasing the Waterford city landbank by a third.