75 extra student apartments sought for the former Coca Cola bottling plant

PLANS have been lodged to significantly increase the number of student apartments proposed for the former Coca Cola Bottling plant on the Carrigrohane Straight Road.

Planning permission is in place since 2017 to build 484 student beds on the site in buildings ranging from four to seven storeys. Work began to demolish the existing buildings and clear the site but it has remained empty since then.

Last November, London student accommodation company Future Generation acquired the site for a flagship 600-bed accommodation scheme.

The company this week lodged plans with City Hall planners seeking the go-ahead to modify the existing planning permission.

The proposed modifications include increasing the number of apartments on the site from 92 to 167 and bed spaces from 484 to 623.

The height of the proposed buildings will increase from six to ten storeys, from four to seven storeys previously permitted.

A roof level amenity area and terrace will also be provided on the sixth floor.

Future Generation said the former coca-cola bottling factory is a short walk from University College Cork and will boast stunning views across the River Lee.

They said the scheme will feature the latest technology provided through their partnership with Samsung, with students enjoying the latest Samsung kitchen appliances, wi-fi, virtual reality headsets and access to new mobile phones.

In November, Andrew Southern, Chairman of Future Generation said: “Ireland is one of the fastest-growing destinations for international students in the EU and we are thrilled to kick-off our European development programme here in Cork. Our vision and plans for the Cola Factory will certainly put the fizz back into student housing in Cork."

“Importantly, it marks the first in a series of European student housing schemes, with a 300-bed development in Milan to complete before the end of 2018 and with further schemes in the pipeline in Galway, Limerick, Prague and Venice.”