Plans have been lodged for a major new hostel in the centre of Cork.

The former tourist office on the Grand Parade is to be rebuilt with a six-storey extension to the rear.

If approved and constructed, the development will house 48 rooms with 284-bed spaces.

The development called 'Tourist House' at 40-42 Grand Parade will also include a ground floor bar along with shared toilet/shower facilities, laundry room, storerooms, rooftop terrace, reception, social area, kitchen and bicycle storage.

The planning application has been lodged by Bluescape Limited seeks the go-ahead for the alteration, conservation and change of use of the former tourist office to a hostel with and the demolition of buildings to the rear and the construction of a new six-storey extension and internal works.

More than 1,500 hotel and hostel beds are currently planned or already under construction in the city.

Last week planning permission was granted for a 165-bed hotel next to the Parnell Place bus station.

The Maldron Hotel on Sooth Mall opened at Christmas with 163 rooms.

Developers Clarendon and Bam are building a major new office development on Horgan’s Quay close to Kent Station called HQ. It will include a 136-bed hotel with a rooftop garden.

Last year, An Bord Pleanála granted permission for a 220-room hotel on Sullivan’s Quay on the site of the former tax office. 

The Metropole Hotel also has planning permission for a major upgrade to include 195 new rooms.

Also on MacCurtain Street, planning has been granted for a 73-room hotel on the corner of York Street on the site of the Windsor Inn.

A planning decision is also awaited on a planned 58-bed boutique hotel on the South Mall at the former National Irish Bank building.

The budget accommodation sector also has a number of potential new developments in Cork.

Permission is in place to convert the nightclub above the Brick Lane Bar on South Main Street into a 16-bed hostel.

A four-storey tourist accommodation building is planned for Fitton Street, off Father Mathew Street that will accommodate 193 beds, if approved.

Also in the city centre plans have been lodged to change the former Classic Bar on Marlboro street into a 29-bed hotel.

Planning permission has also been granted by An Bord Pleanála for a 192-bed hostel and café just off Morrison’s Quay in the city centre.

A planning decision on the tourist office hostel is expected in early August.