Planning granted for Cork student accommodation scheme 

The planning commission has approved a new student accommodation scheme in Cork, despite local objections.

Denis O’Brien Developments (Cork) Limited received planning from the city council last year to build a new student development on Model Farm Road, comprising 170 beds in total.

The approved development includes a student housing scheme comprising 21 houses and 163 beds.

In addition, permission is also sought for the change of use of the vacant two-storey Bishopstown House, from a former medical and health service, to a residential student house.

The redeveloped house will have seven bedrooms, bringing the total capacity of the housing scheme to 170 beds.

The new student scheme prompted strong local objection, with the positive bid being appealed to the planning commission by both a resident and a local politician.

Appeal

In his appeal to the city council, Independent councillor Albert Deasy said he was writing on behalf of a large number of residents living in the immediate vicinity, who were “concerned and distraught” at the prospect of “yet another student facility on their doorstep.”

He added that the development constituted a “recipe for chaos” and a “severe disruption” to local residents.

Another objector said the development, consisting of “eyesore” dormer windows, did not in any way try to blend in with or complement the existing residential environment.

The objector added that peace and tranquillity for all the nearby residences will be “gone forever”, adding that it was “well-known that residents living in College Road have, for years, suffered from student parties and antisocial behaviour.”

Despite the objections, An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the development in accordance with its inspector’s report, granting permission for the 170-bed scheme, with 26 conditions.