Preparatory work began yesterday at the Crow’s Nest site at Victoria Cross as crews gear up to begin construction on a new student development.

Work has been undertaken in recent days to clear the site which is expected to house more than 200 student beds when completed.

The area is already home to a number of other student apartment complexes, including UCC’s Victoria Mills and the Village developments.

Planning permission was granted in March last year for the redevelopment of the former Square Deal site to accommodate more than 220 student beds.

Work is expected to begin shortly at the Crow’s Nest site at Victoria Cross, by University College Cork, to build a 255-bed development.

The owners of the former Square Deal site have permission for 228 student beds, along with a cafe and co-working space on the ground floor.

The red-brick exterior will be restored and retained, and windows and doors will be repaired or replaced, along with the existing roof.

The Echo revealed last year that demand is high for on-campus accommodation at University College Cork, with more than 4,000 applications received ahead of the 2018/19 academic year.

Campus Accommodation UCC currently manages five complexes: Victoria Mills, University Hall, Victoria Lodge, Castlewhite Apartments, and Mardyke Hall, with a total of 1,277 spaces.

Students are allocated beds in a lottery-style draw.

The new complex at the Crow’s Nest would see UCC’s number of student beds grow to more than 1,500.

There are a number of major student apartment developments around UCC, including plans for Magazine Road and The Lough.