Plans for 400 student bedspaces in Cork get go-ahead despite strong local opposition
Plans for more than 400 new student bedspaces in Cork have received the green light from An Bord Pleanála despite heavy local opposition.
Lyonshall Ltd can now progress with the plans for the 408-bed purpose-built student accommodation development on the site of the former St Joseph's Convent on Model Farm Road to the west of the city centre.
In its order, An Bord Pleanála said: 'The proposed development would provide an acceptable form of student accommodation in an area with a clear demand for such accommodation.'
Last December, Lyonshall Ltd applied for permission for the 408 student beds across 57 apartments reaching as high as five storeys. As part of the plans, the existing former convent on the site would be demolished.
Two months later, the plans were approved by Cork City Council despite local opposition.
This was the second time developers have tried to secure permission for student accommodation on the site. The first application was turned by An Bord Pleanála in June 2024 due to limited communal facilities that 'failed to provide a satisfactory standard of residential amenity for the student population'.
In its fresh application, developers said the proposed bedspaces 'will further support the students enrolled in Munster Technological University and University College Cork, where there is a high demand for student accommodation'.
It also suggested figures show a significant undersupply of student housing in Cork, and this development would help meet the 'increased demand' from student bedspaces being used for the housing of Ukrainian refugees.
However, following the planning approval from City Hall, no fewer than 12 appeals were lodged against the development.
Summarising the objections, an An Bord Pleanála inspector said concerns varied from transport and residential amenity to visual impact and the scale of the development.
'The proposed scheme is essentially the same as that which was previously refused permission on this site,' objectors argued, adding the site should be used for housing rather than student accommodation.
Concerns were also raised about the potential for it to be used as short-term lets in the summer months.
One of the original conditions to the approval granted by Cork City Council was that the development be used as tourist or visitor accommodation during academic holiday periods but 'shall not be used for permanent residential accommodation, as a hotel, hostel, aparthotel or similar' without seeking further planning permission first.
This was re-affirmed by An Bord Pleanála in its approval of the development, which was signed off unanimously by two board members.
It added the apartments were of an acceptable scale and density and would 'not seriously injure' the amenities of the area.
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