Another increase in bed-space numbers sought for Cork student development

The number of student bed spaces proposed for the Bandon Road in Cork city could be set to increase, after the developers have submitted a fresh Strategic Housing Development application to An Bord Pleanála.

Lyonshall was previously granted planning permission for 49 student apartments consisting of 350-bed spaces in August 2018 by Cork City Council, and was subsequently granted permission to increase this to 419 spaces in 57 apartments in January 2019 by An Bord Pleanala.

That’s despite a number of objections lodged with the planning appeals board at the time.

This latest extension follows the acquisition of more lands in the vicinity and, despite objections to the previous proposal, the size of the development could be set to increase to 77 apartments with 554 bed spaces.

These plans had been mooted back in February, however An Bord Pleanála asked for more information or amendments at the pre-application consultation phase of the process.

The new proposal provides for one studio apartment, one three-bed apartment, three four-bed apartments, and 72 apartments with more than four beds at a site comprising O’Riordan’s Joinery, Bandon Road, a portion of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Lough Road, 74 Bandon Road and numbers 1 and 2 Ardnacarrig, Bandon Road, Co. Cork.

This plan also proposes taller buildings than the previously permitted scheme - heights of up to six storeys are proposed, but the developers have assured in their documentation that the buildings of this height are concentrated in the centre of the site, 40 metres from the back of neighbouring houses.

Lyonshall also proposes on-site management, and hopes to let the apartments temporarily over the summer months and outside of the academic year as tourist accommodation.

They add that the National Student Accommodation strategy estimates that for every four bed spaces provided for in purpose-built student accommodation, a private rented dwelling can be freed up.

“The proposal therefore has the potential to introduce young professionals and families to the area on a longer term basis which will strengthen the local community and reduce instances of anti-social behaviour among students living in unmanaged accommodation.” 

A decision on the development from An Bord Pleanala is due in September.