Planning granted for 419-bed student apartments overlooking The Lough

Planning permission has been granted for a 57-room student apartment development overlooking The Lough despite opposition from locals in the area.

The development will be located at the O’Riordan’s Joinery site on the Bandon Road and on a portion of the lands associated with the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

The development will allow for 419 student bed spaces.

Planning permission for the development was granted this week by An Bord Pleanála.

The developers Lyonshall had previously received planning permission for a development of 324 student beds.

However, in January they submitted a fresh application for an increased number of apartments under the new fast-track planning process.

It allowed them to submit the application directly to An Bord Pleanála, bypassing Cork City Council.

The initial application had attracted a number of objections with residents opposed to the development's presence next to The Lough and the addition of more students to the area.

The student apartment development will involve the demolition of an existing industrial building and garage and the construction of four apartment blocks in varying heights between four and five storeys.

The development will comprise of 42 eight-bed apartments, three seven-bed apartments, eight six-bed apartments, two five-bed apartments, two double studios and a shared amenity area.

In their decision, An Bord Pleanála said they gave the go ahead due to the location of the site close to UCC and the availability of transport links to the city centre.

The conditions set down in the grant of permission means the site can only be used for student purposes and will require on-site, 24-hour management.