200 student bed spaces given planning permission in Cork city

A planning application seeking permission to develop more than 200 student bedspaces near UCC has been green-lit by An Bord Pleanála.

The decision comes more than two years after the application was lodged as the planning board works to clear a backlog of cases.

The strategic housing development (SHD) application for the proposed development at the former site of the Finbarr Galvin Motor Dealership, fronting on to Victoria Cross Road and Orchard Road, was submitted by Bellmount Developments Limited back in August 2022.

It proposed the demolition of existing structures on site and the construction of 78 student accommodation apartments, comprising a total of 206 bedspaces, in a single six-storey block.

The application said the proposed development would include student amenity facilities such as a study area, games room, lounge space, laundry room and server/ICT room.

It also sought permission for additional works such as the provision of a new junction build out at the junction of Orchard Road and Victoria Cross Road; the provision of footpaths and landscaped areas along Victoria Cross Road; and all associated ancillary development including pedestrian/cyclist facilities, bicycle storage and lighting.

In the planning and design statement accompanying the application, it said the subject site was chosen by the applicants “due to its convenient location and proximity to the main campus of University College Cork (UCC)”.

It also noted that, for students attending Munster Technological University (MTU), bus stops near the subject site ensure the campus could be easily accessible for students living in the building.

No car parking spaces were proposed to be provided with the development.

The planning and design statement claimed that “great care” had been taken to ensure that there would “not be an adverse impact on the general residential amenities of the area”.

CONDITIONS

An Bord Pleanála has now approved the proposed development, subject to 28 conditions.

In making the decision, the board said it deemed that, subject to compliance with the conditions, the proposed development would constitute “an acceptable density of development in this location”, that it “would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity”, that it would be “acceptable in terms of urban design, height and scale of development” and “would be acceptable in terms of impacts on traffic”.

The board considered that the proposed development would be “compliant with the provisions of the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028”.

Fianna Fáil councillor in the city’s South West ward, Terry Coleman, said he welcomed the planning approval, saying that student accommodation “continues to be in short supply”.

“Student specific accommodation frees up houses in housing estates which can be lived in by families, both young and old which brings life back into the estates around the area and takes the students out of residential areas.

“My only hope is that the rents in this new development are reasonable enough allowing the students and their families some level of affordability,” he added.

Former lord mayor and councillor Mick Finn, who is contesting the next general election in the Cork South Central constituency, said while he recognised the need for additional student accommodation, he would have concerns about a potential increase in traffic levels.

“While I welcome the revitalisation of this site, and realise we need more student beds, there is going to be traffic carnage associated with an already overly-congested road.

“I drive it every day en route to work.

“Junction improvements etc are welcome but I am concerned about the potential impacts on already creaking infrastructure,” he said.