Plans approved for redevelopment of former off-licence in Grange

Fresh proposals for the redevelopment of a former off-licence in Grange have been approved by Cork City Council.

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

The application proposed 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, the application said, would be made up equally of one-bed units and two-bed units.

The planning application also proposed the provision of car and motorcycle parking, bicycle parking, and site-development works.

The development proposed in June was to replace a previously permitted proposal to demolish and then to build nine residential units at the site.

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

Cork City Council sought some further information before making a decision on the application.

Among the points raised by the council was the view that one of the one-bedroom apartments located to the northeast of the scheme was “incongruous” within the overall design.

The proposed apartment was removed as requested and replaced with an outdoor communal amenity area.

There are 26 conditions attached to Cork City Council’s approval of the development.