Chapter 11: Heritage

• To identify, protect, manage and enhance the rich qualities of the built, cultural and natural heritage of the City and County, and to encourage its sensitive and appropriate integration into the sustainable development of our places for the benefit of present and future generations. The Plan seeks to achieve a balance between the foregoing and economic prosperity and social integration.

• To seek the protection, sustainable management and enhancement of Waterford’s built heritage; to promote the appropriate regeneration and reuse of our historic structures which strengthen a sense of place; to promote awareness and enjoyment of our built heritage for the present and future generations

Heritage 01

Waterford Heritage Plan

To implement and review the Waterford Heritage Plan in partnership with all relevant stakeholders and subject to available resources.

Heritage 02

Heritage Ireland 2030

To support the objectives of Heritage Ireland 2030 in relation to Communities and Heritage, Leadership and Heritage and Heritage Partnerships.

BH 01

Record of Protected Structures

We will promote the protection of the architectural heritage of the City and County through the identification of structures of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, by the inclusion of such structures on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) and by taking such steps as are necessary to ensure the protection of those structures, their maintenance, conservation, enhancement, and appropriate active use.

To this end we will contribute towards the protection of architectural heritage by complying, as appropriate, with the legislative provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) in relation to architectural heritage and the policy guidance contained in the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines 2011 (and any updated/superseding document).

BH 02

Supporting our Built Heritage Assets

It is the policy of the Council:

• To promote the sustainable reuse of protected structures for any such purpose compatible with the character of the structure. The Planning Authority may, where considered appropriate, relax use zoning and other site development restrictions and may grant exemption from or reduce the amounts of development contributions payable in order to secure the protection and conservation of protected structures or historic structures within ACAs and by way of reduction of development levies for improvements to Protected Structures. These restrictions may be relaxed and development contributions reduced or exempted where the protected structure will be rehabilitated to a high standard, where the special interest, character and setting of the building is protected and where the proposed use and development is consistent with conservation policies and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. In such cases the proposed development shall be open for consideration notwithstanding the current zoning objective for the site and therefore shall be considered as not materially contravening the Development Plan.
• To administer incentives for the protection of the architectural heritage of the City and County through administration of the Built Heritage funding schemes or similar Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage funding schemes.
• To advise with regard to best conservation practice as per Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2011 available on the Councils Website and Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage Advice Series.

BH 03

Statutory Declarations

We will issue Section 57 Declarations on request to owners or occupiers of protected structures detailing the type of works that it is considered would or would not materially affect the character of the structure or of any element of the structure which contributes to its special interest.

BH 04

Demolition of Protected Structures

Proposals for the demolition of a Protected Structure may be considered in exceptional circumstances and the onus will be on the developer to provide the strongest justification for such an action as per the Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities and other guidance.

BH 05

Architectural Conservation Areas

It is the policy of the Council to:

• Achieve the preservation of the special character of places, areas, groups of structures setting out Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA).
• Protect the special heritage values, unique characteristics and distinctive features, such as shopfronts within the ACA from inappropriate development which would detract from the special character of the ACA.
• Prohibit the demolition of historic structures that positively contributes to the distinctive character of the ACA.
• Encourage the undergrounding of overhead services and the removal of redundant wiring/cables within an ACA and to assess all further cable installations against its likely impact on the character of the ACA as the cumulative impact of wiring can have a negative impact on the character of ACAs.
• Provide guidelines on appropriate development to retain its distinctive character;  and protect elements of the streetscape such as rubble stone boundary walls, planting schemes and street furniture such as paving, post boxes, historic bollards, basement grills, street signage/plaques, etc. which make a positive contribution to the built heritage.
• Retain or sensitively reintegrate any surviving items of historic street furniture and finishes such as granite kerbing and paving that contribute to the character of an ACA.

BH 06

Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment

It is the policy of the Council when considering development which may have a significant impact on a protected structures, its setting or curtilage or have an impact on an ACA,  that the proposal be accompanied by an Architectural Heritage Impact assessment (AHIA) detailing the potential impact of the development on the architectural heritage. The report should be compiled in accordance with the details set out in Appendix B of the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities, Department of the Environment.

BH 07

Promoting our Architectural Heritage

It is the policy of the Council to identify and implement measures for promoting the character of the historic cores of the city, towns and villages, their unique identity and their architectural, archaeological, historical and cultural, social interest and diversity.

BH 08

Reusing our Heritage Buildings

It is a policy of the Council to encourage sympathetic development or reuse of historic buildings to promote heritage led economic growth and regeneration whilst not adversely detracting from the building or its setting.  Any proposals shall respect features of the special architectural and historic character by appropriate design, materials, scale, and setting.

BH 09

Ecological Impact Assessment

It is the policy of the Council to request an ecological impact assessment where development may have an adverse impact on protected wildlife species such as bats or nesting birds and the Apis mellifera mellifera/ native Irish honeybee. The incorporation of biodiversity enhancement measures shall be a requirement in repair works to existing or design of new developments

BH 10

Building Adaptation

It is the policy of the Council to facilitate appropriate, high-quality design solutions for adaptations of Protected Structures and historic buildings in an ACA that carefully consider the design, height, scale, massing, and finishes of adjacent buildings.

BH 11

Maintaining and Enhancing Special Character

It is the policy of the Council to protect structures and curtilages included in the RPS or historic structures within ACA, from any works which would visually or physically detract from the special character of the main structure, any structures within the curtilage, or the streetscape or landscape setting of the ACA.

BH 12

Settings and Vistas

It is the policy of the Council to ensure the protection of the settings and vistas of Protected Structures, and historic buildings within and adjacent to ACAs from any works which would result in the loss or damage to their special character.

BH 13

Vacant and Derelict Structures

It is the policy of the Council to encourage the sensitive redevelopment of vacant or derelict sites within the ACA and historic cores of the city, towns and villages whilst promoting a high standard design which respects urban plots, roof lines vistas and streetscape.

BH 14

Retaining Built Fabric

It is the policy of the Council to:

• Encourage the sensitive redevelopment and reuse of the ground floor shop units of Protected Structures or buildings in the historic cores for other uses including residential whilst retaining the shopfront façade, windows and doorways to upper floors.
• Promote the sustainable reuse and refurbishment of vacant upper floors of buildings in the historic core for residential use through incentives such as the Repair and Lease Scheme.

BH 15

Retaining our Shopfronts

It is the policy of the Council to ensure that all original and traditional shopfronts which contribute positively to the appearance and character of a streetscape are retained and restored and new shopfronts are well designed, through the sympathetic use of scale, proportion and high quality materials.

BH 16

Traditional Materials and Skills  

It is the policy of the Council to

• Promote and ensure the conservation and reuse of traditional materials and features. Original building fabric such as rubblestone and brick walls, lime mortar render, natural slate, thatch, chimneys, brick detailing, ironwork and joinery details such as timber sash windows, shopfronts, doorways and bargeboards shall be retained. Where traditional features such as timber sliding sash windows have been removed, their reinstatement shall be encouraged.
• Encourage the retention and development of the traditional skills base in County Waterford and maintain the Conservation Skills register.

BH 17

Shopfront Guidelines

We will publish guidelines for best practice in the care of historic shopfronts during the lifetime of the Development Plan.

BH 18

Protecting our Demesnes

It is a policy of Council to:

• Protect and promote the setting and visual amenity of historic gardens and designed landscapes.
• Protect all elements of historic gardens and designed landscapes including structures, tree planting schemes, manmade features such as waterways, boundary features within the attendant grounds of Protected Structures.
• Proposed development which have the potential to visually or physically impact on the character and/or the appearance of an historic designed landscape should be justified through a Design Landscape Assessment /Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment.

BH 19

Demesnes Architectural Conservation Areas

We will assess the need to establish additional areas for designation as ACA for Demesnes and to extend the boundaries of the existing ACAs having regard to their special architectural, historic, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or value or contribution to the appreciation of protected structures and settings and vistas.

BH 20

Conservation Plans for Significant Structures

It is a policy of the Council to protect and promote the sustainable reuse and development within large complexes such as workhouses, school, barracks, convents, abbeys, hospitals included in the RPS, and those proposals would be justified through an overall Conservation Plan.

BH 21

Industrial Built Heritage

It is the Policy of the Council to:

• Identify, protect and encourage the sympathetic reuse of elements of the industrial heritage and to encourage sustainable reuse of underutilised/vacant industrial buildings for residential, commercial or tourism use.
• All development proposals for industrial buildings and sites of industrial archaeological importance must be accompanied by an archaeological assessment of the building(s) and their surrounding environment. In all cases the retention and/or incorporation of industrial buildings will be encouraged and only in exceptional circumstances will demolition be considered.

BH 22

Industrial and Maritime Structure Surveys

During the life of the Development Plan we will:

• Update the Industrial Heritage of Waterford Survey (2008).
• Survey our maritime heritage which includes quays, harbours, river quays and walls, and navigation aids.

BH 23

Built Heritage and Climate Change

It is the policy of the Council to:

• Support and implement the objectives of:
  • The Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan (2019) for built and archaeological heritage,
  • The Waterford Climate Action Plan (2019) in building resilience for our historic sites and buildings from climate change.
  • Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s publication on ‘Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings’ (2010).
  • The Irish Standard IS EN 16883:2017 ‘Conservation of Cultural Heritage - Guidelines for Improving the Energy Performance of Historic Buildings’ (2017).
  • Any future advisory documents in assessing proposed works on Protected Structures.
• Promote the just transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society in the interest of sustainability and to reduce landfill by acknowledging the embodied energy retention and reuse of our historic building stock.
• Promote the appropriate rehabilitation, revitalization and reuse of vernacular buildings,  and town houses, wherever feasible, employing best conservation practice and using traditional building methods and materials such as timber windows  in the interest of sustainability, good conservation practice and maintaining the long-term viability of such buildings and their associated features and improve their resilience to climate change
• Ensure that measures to upgrade the energy efficiency of historic buildings acknowledge their inherent characteristics, techniques and materials and do not have a detrimental physical or visual impact on the building or its character
• Support appropriate and well-informed energy efficiency upgrades to structures on the Record of Protected Structures and historic buildings through the dissemination of factual and relevant information to the general public.
• Identify the built and archaeological heritage in local authority ownership and areas at risk from climate change including, but not necessarily restricted to, the Record of Monuments and Places, Protected Structures and Architectural Conservation Areas designated in the Development Plan.

BH 24

Maintaining and Enhancing our Vernacular Buildings

It is the policy of the Council to:

• Protect, maintain and enhance the historic character and setting of vernacular buildings, farmyards and settlements
• Encourage appropriate revitalisation and reuse of such structures (see rural diversification/tourism). There will be a presumption against the demolition of vernacular buildings where restoration or adaptation is a feasible option.
• Promote the protection and maintenance of thatched buildings (domestic or non-domestic), particularly those with historic layers and roof structures.

BH 25

Thatched Structures Survey

During the life of the Development Plan we will:

• Update the Thatch House survey of County Waterford
• Promote available grant schemes and facilitate engagement with owners in the maintenance of these buildings.

BH 26

Reuse of Vernacular Structures

It is a policy of the council to encourage and facilitate the sensitive reuse of vernacular houses or farm buildings for farm diversification, agri-tourism and rural development, including self-catering accommodation, arts or craft workshops and small-scale manufacturing. Guidance and information can be found in Traditional Buildings for Irish Farms (2005) published by the Heritage Council and Teagasc, and Reusing Farm Buildings: A Kildare Perspective (2006) published by Kildare County Council.

BH 27

Retaining Vernacular Structures in Rural Areas

It is the policy of the Council where proposals for sensitive rehabilitation of disused vernacular buildings in the open countryside are being considered they will not be required to establish a rural housing need provided that their vernacular character is enhanced and that their fabric is repaired using appropriate techniques and materials. Where the subject structure is demolished and replaced a rural housing need will be required.

BH 28

Demolition of Vernacular Structures

It is the policy of the Council to ensure that where permission is sought to demolish a structure which is considered of vernacular significance, on the grounds of structural defects or failure, or that it is not reasonably capable of being made structurally sound, the developer will be required to submit a report by a professional with appropriate conservation expertise and an understanding of vernacular buildings which demonstrate substantial reasons for the demolition. It must be satisfactorily demonstrated that every effort has been made to continue the present use or find a suitable new use for the structure(s).

BH 29

Extensions and Alterations

It is the policy of the council to ensure that where it is proposed to extend an existing vernacular house/ building, the design, scale, footprint and materials should be sympathetic to the existing building and its setting. Extensions should:

• generally, be located to the rear and not obscure the form or layout of the existing building.
• substantial removal of walling should be avoided.
• connecting the existing building and extension should minimise the number of new openings and ideally use existing openings; and,
• Where feasible outbuilding contiguous to a dwelling can sometimes be successfully incorporated.

BH 30

Historic Features in the Public Realm

It is the policy of the Council to:

• Promote a high standard of civic amenity and design and to respect existing open spaces, urban spaces, settings, vistas street furniture and streetscape within historic cores. The Council shall consider the receiving environment when erecting signage, undertaking road markings, providing traffic control measures  bike lanes, parking spaces, planting and road and footpath access works, and ensures that all such works are sensitive to the to the distinctive character of the area and streetscape.
• Preserve the retention of historic items of street furniture where these contribute to the character of the area, including items of a vernacular or local significance.
• Ensure street furniture and signage is kept to a minimum, is of high-quality design and material and that any redundant street furniture is removed.

BH 31

Significant Structures in the Public Realm

We will protect and preserve the integrity and enhance elements of the built heritage such as limekilns, quays, bollards, bridges and their settings.

BH 32

Best Practice

It is a policy of the Council to demonstrate best practice with regard to Protected Structures, Recorded Monuments and other elements of architectural and archaeological heritage in the ownership and care of the Council and to ensure appropriate materials and methodologies are used for the repair works.

BH 33

Reusing our Building Stock

During the life of the Development Plan we will carry out an audit of all Protected Structures in our ownership with a view to securing uses that are compatible with the character of the individual Protected Structure.

BH 34

Promoting Public Awareness

It is the policy of the Council to promote public awareness of the value of the our historic built heritage and our archaeology and the positive contribution of Protected Structures, Historic Structures and Archaeology make to the built environment, the sense of place, distinctiveness and authenticity of an area and the tourism potential to Waterford and to develop specific measures to achieve such awareness.

BH 35

Guides

We will continue the publication of architectural/archaeological guide series such Historic Waterford – The Coast, Architectural Waterford, and Heritage Tourism Guides online (or via app).

AH 01

National Monuments Act

It is the policy of the Council to protect, and enhance in an appropriate manner all elements of the archaeological heritage including the following categories:

1. Sites and monuments included in the Sites and Monuments Record as maintained by the Department with responsibility for the protection of Ireland’s archaeological heritage.
2. Monuments and places included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) as established under the National Monuments Acts.
3. Historic monuments and archaeological areas included in the Register of Historic Monuments as established under the National Monuments Acts.
4. National Monuments subject to Preservation Orders under the National Monuments Acts and National Monuments which are in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister with responsibility for archaeological heritage or the Local Authority.
5. Archaeological objects within the meaning of the National Monuments Acts.
6. Wrecks protected under the National Monuments Acts or otherwise included in the Shipwreck Inventory maintained by the National Monuments Service, underwater archaeology, riverine, coastal or lacustrine locations.
7. Archaeological features not as yet identified but which may be impacted on by development.

And where feasible, appropriate and applicable to promote access (including disabled access) to and signposting and interpretive material of such sites and monuments and provide appropriate forms of virtual access where physical access is not possible.

AH 02

Managing Development

We will contribute, as appropriate, towards the protection and sympathetic enhancement of archaeological heritage, in particular by implementing the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the National Monuments Act, 1930 (as amended).

We will ensure that archaeological excavation is carried out according to best practice as outlined by the National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Museum of Ireland and the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland.

We will consult with the National Monuments Service as relevant in relation to proposed developments, including those adjoining archaeological sites.

AH 03

Preservation of Archaeological Material

Waterford City & County Council shall, in an appropriate manner, secure either by preservation in-situ or preservation-by-record, the archaeological heritage. In this regard priority shall be given to the preservation in-situ of any archaeological monument/site/place as the first option considered. If preservation in-situ cannot be achieved, or can only be achieved in-part, then preservation-by-record of elements of the archaeological heritage will be required –this will require the full archaeological excavation and recording of the monument/site, according to best professional practice. Where excavation is required this shall also include the preparation of appropriate reports, post-excavation analyses and publications. The costs of assessing and mitigating archaeological impacts shall form part of development costs as borne by the developer.

AH 04

Archaeological Impact Considerations

It is the policy of the Council to:

• Ensure that development in the vicinity of a site of archaeological interest shall be designed and sited sympathetically and shall not be detrimental to the character of the archaeological site or its setting by reason of its location, scale, bulk or detailing.
• When considering development in the vicinity of all archaeological sites including remnants of the city and town walls, the planning authority will require the preparation of an archaeological assessment detailing the potential impact of any development on upstanding structures, buried structures and deposits. The report will also include a visual impact assessment to ensure adequate consideration of any potential visual impact the proposed development may have on any upstanding remains.
• Proposed developments will be required to retain the existing street layout, including laneways, historic building lines and traditional plot widths where these derive from medieval or earlier origins.
• When considering development in the vicinity of upstanding archaeological/historical monuments, to aim to achieve a satisfactory buffer area between the development and the monument in order to ensure the preservation and enhancement of the amenity associated with the presence of upstanding monuments within the historic urban pattern.
• For all developments, which have potential to impact on riverine, intertidal and sub-tidal environments to require an archaeological assessment prior to works being carried out. In addition to planning permission, development works at National Monuments of which the Minister or local authority is owner of, guardian of or in respect of which a preservation order is in force, may also require Ministerial Consent under Section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended) and this will be determined by the relevant authority (Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage) on application.

AH 05

Waterford City Walls and Towers

We will protect the essential character and setting of the City Walls and Towers through the control of the design, location and layout of new development in their vicinity and through the control of changes of use of lands, by the protection of adjoining streetscapes and site features where appropriate and by protecting important views to and from the walls and towers from obstruction and/or inappropriate intrusion by new buildings structures, plant and equipment, signs and other devices; and where opportunities arise to create additional views of the walls and towers. We will continue to protect enhance and promote the City Walls by updating the City Walls Plan (2014) and implement an Interpretation Plan for Waterford Medieval City Walls and Towers.

AH 06

Woodstown Viking Site

We will deliver the actions of the Woodstown Viking Site Conservation Management Plan 2020, in collaboration with the Woodstown Steering Committee and all relevant Stakeholders.

AH 07

Utilising and Promoting our Archaeological Assets

It is a policy of the Council to

• Utilise Waterford’s archaeology such as its City Walls and Towers as an educational and tourism resource and to facilitate the publication and dissemination of interpretative material to the general public, and to facilitate public access to the walls and towers and other sites of interest.
• Promote the incorporation of or reference to significant archaeological finds in a development, where appropriate, through layout, displays, signage, plaques, information panels or use of historic place names.

AH 08

Historic Graveyards

We will apply best practice in the care and management of historic graveyards as detailed in “Care Conservation and Recording of Historic Graveyards in County Waterford” published by Waterford County Council in 2009 and “Places of Worship- Heritage Advice Series of Department of Housing, Local Government

AH 09

Community Archaeology

Local communities take great pride in their local heritage and are well placed with support and partnerships to promote care, conservation and engagement with that heritage. Waterford has had the benefit of involvement with the Adopt a Monument Scheme at sites such as Gallows Hill, Dungarvan, Round Hill, Lismore and Knockboy Medieval Church.

AH 10

Creadan Head

We will support delivery of actions in the Creadan Head Conservation Management Plan by the Creadan-Waterford Estuary Steering Group.

AH 11

Underwater Archaeology

To preserve the integrity of existing and potential underwater archaeological sites and monuments in their setting and to ensure that development in the vicinity of a site of archaeological interest does not physically impact the character, there is a requirement to undertake Underwater Archaeological Impact Assessment (UAIA).