Objectors to an 18-house development in the Ring Gaeltacht, which was granted planning permission this month, claim it will lead to the destruction of the rural fabric of the area.
Local residents who opposed the development at Baile Ui Raghallaigh plan to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala. Cllr Fiachra O Ceilleachair (Labour) says he will also be lodging an appeal.
He told The Irish Times that two developers wanted to build similarly sized "housing estates" at three other locations in Ring and, once one had been passed, it would be impossible to prevent others.
Mr Mick O hUallachain, who lives adjacent to the Baile Ui Raghallaigh site, claimed the Gaeltacht itself was under threat. "Once you allow housing estates to go up that's the end of the rural community and it's also the end of the Gaeltacht," he said.
The developer, Mr Sean Halpin from Waterford, has disputed the assertions of objectors, including Mr O hUallachain and his wife, Paula. In correspondence with Waterford County Council, Mr Halpin's architect, Mr Muiris O Criostoir, said the design was in keeping with the traditions of the area.
The development was low-density and would not obstruct the "magnificent views" of Dungarvan Bay for pedestrians in the area, he added.
The 18 houses on six acres match the density of three houses per acre proposed in a draft action area plan to be voted on by Waterford County Council in September.
Although the plan has not been adopted yet, Mr O Criostoir said all aspects of the draft were taken into account. Permission for the development was granted by the council on June 13th.