Proposal to develop and extend 'living over the shop' scheme in Cork city welcomed 

City councillors have welcomed a push for further housing provision in often unused spaces over shops in the city centre.

Green Party councillor for Cork City North East Oliver Moran proposed that Cork City Council will develop and promote its own ‘Living Over the Shop’ scheme for businesses and property owners to make effective use of vacant “over the shop” spaces for housing.

Mr Moran told The Echo: “There’s huge interest in the supports that are there for owners of vacant properties.

“Someone can easily get €75,000 in grants to turn a property around. There are home energy grants too that can be used to modernise a building, but what’s missing for a lot of people is the know-how to tie it all together.

“That’s even more difficult when you’re talking about bringing back a first-floor property over a shop.

“In November, there was a series of drop-in days for property owners who wanted information about what’s there for them.

“The idea of a one stop shop would develop on that again, bringing in advice on planning and fire safety. It’s something that business groups are looking for to help activate the supports that are there.”

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy supported the motion at Monday’s council meeting.

“The drop-in sessions were amazing, but we need to package these better and give a longer lead in time. We can’t give one week or two weeks to apply for a grant.

“We have all these grants, we just need to line them up. 

“There should be drop-in sessions every few weeks; once a year is not enough.”

Mr Moran’s motion was passed unanimously at the meeting.

The director of services of the strategic and economic development committee, Niall Ó Donnabháin, said the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 “encourages living over the shop and the reuse of upper floors for residential use”, and that the council operates a “range of supports” for living over the shop.

The council, he said, offers advice and support to prospective applicants in relation to planning applications, grants, and best practice.

“Previous challenges to renovating or converting above the shop vacant units are also being addressed, such as the recent changes to national building and fire regulations that could facilitate easier residential use of upper floors.

“Cork City Council will continue to promote and support living over the shop through these pathways,” Mr Ó Donnabháin added.