Plans submitted for student development in 'historic spine' of Cork city

Plans have been submitted for a 279-bed student accommodation building on a brownfields site in the heart of the historic spine of Cork city.

Bmor Developments Ltd are seeking permission for 49 apartments, as well as two retail units and a cafe/restaurant at 92-96 North Main Street, which incorporates the old Munster Furniture site.

It will see the demolition of the existing structures at 92, formerly Molloy’s Footwear store, and 95, to make way for the construction of the four to seven storey development.

Proposed in this development are eleven one-bed studio apartments, one three-bedroom apartment, two four-bedroom apartments, three five-bedroom apartments, six six-bedroom apartments, two seven-bedroom apartments and 24 eight-bed apartments.

A gym, library and cinema are also included in the plans, along with linked courtyard gardens at ground floor level and rooftop terraces at first, fourth, fifth and sixth floor levels.

Another key feature of the development will be the restoration of Coleman’s Lane, which will link North Main Street to Grattan Street. Ensuring that it is safe, overlooked and properly lit is key, while also “creating better movement and permeability in the area”.

At pre-application consultation phase, An Bord Pleanála raised a number of issues with the proposals as they were, in particular the height of the development, which have now been addressed by Bmor.

The scheme has been reduced by one storey from eight to seven, while another part of the building has reduced from seven to six storeys.

“We consider that the re-designed scheme, including an amended layout and reduced height, as well as the significant amount of additional analysis that has been carried out, has comprehensively addressed the issues raised in the Board’s Opinion,” the developers said in their application.

The site itself has been vacant and derelict for over a decade since a fire destroyed the building, and it was demolished in 2008.

An Bord Pleanála is due to rule on whether the development can proceed by November 4.