Waterford County Council has granted conditional planning permission for a €50 million harbour development at Dunmore East to agents for the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
The port had opposed the application, which was lodged with Waterford County Council by agents in August on behalf of the Minister.
However, the port yesterday welcomed the development of a new harbour basin, including berthing quay, to the seaward side of the existing harbour at the Co Waterford fishing village.
The development is to include reclamation to form a harbour working area and associated breakwaters.
The Port of Waterford had feared unsuitable activities, including the handling of bulk cargoes and goods such as animal feed, grain, fertiliser, livestock, timber, steel and scrap metals, were to be undertaken at the development.
It claimed that if legally binding conditions were not enforced in conjunction with the granting of planning permission, it would contravene the department's own ports policy statement, national spatial strategy and regional policy guidelines, including the Waterford County Development Plan.
