Dungarvan quayside development granted permission for 35 apartments

Planning permission approved for a significant six-storey commercial and residential block with 35 apartments in Dungarvan's vibrant town centre.

CGI view of the planned new Dungarvan commercial and residential development.

Planning permission has been granted for a significant new commercial and residential development in the heart of Dungarvan.

Waterford City and County Council has granted permission for a six-storey apartment and commercial block on a prominent quayside site.

The O'Brien Family Partnership lodged plans in August 2025 to demolish the former Murphy's Bar and Restaurant and adjoining Waves nightclub venue and clear the site to construct a six-storey, mixed-use development including a commercial unit on the ground and first floors and apartments from the ground floor to the sixth floor.

The original application was for 37 apartments on the site at Davitt's Quay and TF Meagher Street. Planners in the council had sought design changes to the proposal and in July, the applicants submitted significant further information on the project. The developer cut the section nearest Devonshire Bridge to two storeys and stepped the main part of the building back about 10m from the bridge. The overall height fell by up to 1.6m

However, an executive planner with the Council recommended refusal of the development. They found that, because of its overall height, scale and bulk, the building would be "an inappropriate form of development" at a visually prominent junction and would seriously injure the visual amenities of Dungarvan.

While accepting that buildings of up to seven storeys have been permitted on neighbouring sites on Davitt's Quay. However, they said this site was far more sensitive because it sits beside Devonshire Bridge and faces a junction of two main approach roads into the town.

However, in a report on September 4, the Council's senior executive planner recommended that permission be granted, describing the design, height, scale and materials as "a well-considered response to the town centre nature of the site". They added that the design had due regard to heritage assets and to a permitted seven-storey hotel on the adjoining site. "The development of this site will result in the delivery of 35 new apartments within the town centre of Dungarvan," they said.

Permission was granted last week for the development, with the Council imposing 18 conditions, including a requirement to prepare a detailed condition report of Devonshire Bridge.