Green light for student apartment plan at Cork's former Good Shephard site 

The decision by Cork City Council’s planning department to grant permission for a 957-bed development for students has been described as “the final nail in the coffin of Blarney St” by the chair of the local residents association.

Tom Coleman has said the community will not take the decision “lying down”.

The application by Bellmount Good Shepherd Ltd was given the green light with 61 conditions attached on Monday, June 23, marking the latest twist in the history of the former Magdalene laundry in Sunday’s Well.

Details of the proposed development include the partial demolition, conservation redevelopment, and extension of the existing former Good Shepherd convent buildings for student accommodation use.

It makes provision for the construction of eight new apartment blocks ranging in height from three to five storeys, and the construction of a three-storey, mixed use building with commercial retail use at ground-floor level with student accommodation on the upper floors.

A total of 274 student apartments, with 957 beds, are envisaged by the developers.

Conditions

Conditions include that it be completed within seven years on a phased basis with the requirement to submit a revised phasing plan prior to commencement.

The first phase should consist of the works to the home, convent, and orphanage buildings, and that the proposed retail use for Block B should be operational before the second phase is commenced.

The conditions also stipulate that should human remains be found — as was the case in other sites where there were convents attached to Magdalen laundries and orphanages — in the course of construction, all work shall stop at all parts of the proposed development site, and all the relevant authorities should be informed of the location of the remains.

It is also stipulated in the conditions that all the archaeological requirements of the city archaeologist be complied with.

Disgraceful

Speaking to The Echo, Blarney Street Residents Association chair Tom Coleman said the decision to grant planning permission to the development was “the final nail in the coffin in earnest for our area.”

“It’s disgraceful, to say the least of it, I cannot understand it.

“We have major problems as we speak, there’s not one iota done in relation to traffic.

“It will be to the detriment of our community here, the volume and the density of the whole project.”

He said that trying to fit the proposed development into the area was akin to trying to fit a full size dinner on a saucer in a restaurant.

Guarded welcome

The proposed development has been given a guarded welcome by Sinn Féin councillor Kenneth Collins.

“It’s very positive news that something is being done with the building. For the last 20 odd years, it’s been on fire on umpteen occasions.

“It’s caused major stress to the residents in the area of Blarney St, Sunday’s Well, and the surrounding areas,” said Mr Collins.

“Now that something is happening, that is positive. But the developer has to be mindful of the site, and speak to those who were affected by the laundries, and talk to those who were involved, and be respectful to Little Nellie of Holy God. There’s a graveyard there.”

He suggested that the developer would have to put “some sort of a memorial” at the site of the former laundries.