Fresh proposal to redevelop former off-licence in Grange

FRESH proposals for the redevelopment of a former off-licence in Grange have been submitted to Cork City Council.

Authentic Homes Ltd has lodged an application, seeking permission for the construction of an apartment block at the former Grange Stores site on Grange Road.

The application proposes the demolition of the single-storey detached building — formerly part off-licence and part dwelling — and the construction of a residential building of 16 apartments over ground, first and second floors, with a rooftop amenity area.

These apartments would be made up equally of one-bed units and two-bed units.

The planning application also proposes the provision of car and motorcycle parking, bicycle parking, and site-development works. The development would replace a previously permitted proposal to demolish and then to build nine residential units.

A design statement said that the revised scheme “provides for a greater output of residential units on a similar footprint to that previously permitted and is a more economical and efficient use of construction materials and resources”. It said that 12 car-parking spaces would be provided — all with access to EV charging — along with motorbike parking and 16 bicycle parking spaces.

The proposed development “represents a great opportunity to redevelop an unused site and provide much-needed housing, as well as supporting local services, both commercially and socially”, and that the scheme “respects the atmosphere, scale and massing, as per previously permitted on the subject site and within its wider context”.

The council is to make a decision in August.