Ninth Level Ireland

“Turning student accommodation into rooms for tourists is ‘contrary’ to government policy at a time of an acute crisis, the Dáil has heard. Labour leader Alan Kelly told Tánaiste Leo Varadkar that, in Dublin, developers of luxury student apartments are now trying to change their planning permission so they can be used as hotels for tourists …” (more)

[Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner, 23 September]

“Developers have secured the go-ahead for 561 student bed spaces in two separate developments in Cork and Limerick cities. In granting fast track planning in two separate cases on Monday, An Bord Pleanála has cleared the way for the construction by Cloncaragh Investments Ltd of 318 student bed spaces and 30 build-to-rent apartments containing an additional 104 bed spaces at Punches Cross in Limerick …” (more)

[Gordon Deegan, Irish Times, 23 August]

“Plans for a major student development in Cork city have been given the green light. Bellmount Development Limited has been granted planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for the demolition of existing structures on the site of Kelleher’s Auto Centre, Wilton Road, Victoria Cross, Bishopstown and the subsequent construction of 243 student bed spaces …” (more)

[EchoLive, 23 August]

“Athlone Institute of Technology is in line for a multimillion-euro upgrade as part of its elevation to university status. Longford developer and former Athlone IT graduate Mark Cunningham has lodged plans to construct a large-scale student campus as part of a development that is expected to exceed €100 million …” (more)

[Liam Cosgrove, Irish Times, 19 August]

“Housing minister Darragh O’Brien has been urged to support legislation which would stop student accommodation being used for tourism. Student accommodation provider Uninest has been granted permission to temporarily use 571 student rooms at Grangegorman in Dublin as rooms for tourists until next May …” (more)

[Paul Hosford, Irish Examiner, 8 August]

“Derry and Strabane Council is awaiting a response from Ulster University so discussions can begin on constructing a riverfront Medical School. It is expected the new Ulster University Medical School will be located on the banks of the River Foyle as previously proposed …” (more)

[Gillian Anderson, Derry Journal, 3 August]

“Concern has been expressed over plans to construct a multi-storey student accommodation development in the city. Despite An Bord Pleanala rejecting plans for a similar development last year, Cloncarragh Developments has returned with a fresh application. It’s been fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanala, because of the fact more than 100 units are planned …” (more)

[Nick Rabbitts, Limerick Leader, 25 June]

“A developer who plans to build student accommodation has complained to the Planning Regulator after a move by county councillors that could thwart the development of a site in south Dublin. Fine Gael councillor Barry Saul has defended the rezoning of part of the site near UCD, at Goatstown, Dublin 14, for open space and points out that the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) recently said that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council had too much residential zoned land …” (more)

[Donal Buckley, Independent, 26 May]

“Planning sought for €31m development of 40 student apartments, ranging in size from single-bed studio apartments to eight-bed apartments, comprising 243 bed spaces …” (more)

[Catherine Shanahan, Irish Examiner, 6 May]

“University College Cork (UCC) has lodged a planning application to double the size of the Tyndall National Institute by redeveloping a major site on Cork’s North Mall and building a new bridge crossing the River Lee. The university said the planned new research centre will allow Tyndall to rapidly transition from research into prototyping and manufacturing of various technologies …” (more)

[Alan Healy, Irish Examiner, 23 April]

“The investment will result in a doubling of researcher numbers at Tyndall to over 1,000 in the coming years. UCC has lodged a planning application with the City Council for an expansion of the Tyndall National Institute facilities on the North Mall …” (more)

[Red FM, 23 April]

“University College Dublin has received planning approval for works which will facilitate a major expansion of its Belfield campus, including a €48m ’tilting towers’ landmark building at its main entrance on the N11 …” (more)

[Seán McCárthaigh, TheJournal.ie, 6 April]

“An Bord Pleanala has given the go-ahead to a multi-storey student complex in the shadow of Thomond Park. The national appeals body rejected the recommendation of its own inspector in order to approve the multi-million euro project, which will see the former Hassett’s Bar – closed for a decade – demolished …” (more)

[Nick Rabbitts, Limerick Leader, 30 March]

“Two Government Ministers are supporting locals’ objections to plans for a 698-bed student accommodation development across eight blocks in Goatstown in south Dublin. Minister for Tourism and Culture Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan have each made submissions to An Bord Pleanála concerning the plan where the blocks range in height from three to seven storeys …” (more)

[Gordon Deegan, Irish Times, 29 March]

“I refer to article of March 3 last by your correspondent Eoin English Residents near UCC fear summer of Magaluf-style parties which outlined the stark reality of life for the residents of Magazine Road and the surrounding areas adjacent to UCC. Both UCC and MTU (formerly CIT) expanded significantly over the years, but little or no provision was made for the additional accommodation requirements of students …” (more)

[Tony Long, Irish Examiner, 19 March]

“Apartments, powered by student accommodation demand, overtook houses when it came to planning permission being granted for new builds last year, while the green light for new homes overall grew by 13.5%. Central Statistics Office (CSO) data shows planning permissions were granted for more than 26,000 apartments in 2020, compared with about 19,500 in 2019, an increase of just under 34% …” (more)

[Pádraig Hoare, Irish Examiner, 12 March]

“Developers have applied for fast-tracked permission to build a new student accommodation facility near UCD. If approved, the facility would consist of eight 7 storey apartment blocks, with space for nearly 700 beds. The proposed onsite facilities for Colbeam residences would include communal kitchens, living and dining rooms along with a gym, library, yoga studio, a film room, study space, common room, and prayer room. A final decision on the application is expected by early June …” (more)

[Jack McGee, College Tribune, 26 February]

“Yesterday, An Bord Pleanála consented to the overturning of planning permission previously given to College for the expansion of Trinity Hall (Halls). The accommodation complex had received the green light by An Bord Pleanála in August for the addition of 358 student beds into the complex, which has been overturned following an appeals case …” (more)

[Shannon Connolly, Trinity News, 23 February]

“The demolition of the former Kino cinema on Cork’s Washington Street is set to go ahead after An Bord Pleanála approved plans for a large student accommodation scheme on the site. However, the proposed €4m five-storey development will also include an art house on the ground floor consisting of a cinema and performing arts space as well as a café/bar …” (more)

[Sean McCarthaigh, Irish Examiner, 12 February]

“A challenge has been mounted against a decision of An Bord Pleanala to grant planning permission for a 216-bed student accommodation development in Cork City. The action has been brought by an association that represents local residents, who are opposed to the demolition of an existing structure and the construction of the student housing development consisting of 30 apartments located at Orchard Road in Cork City …” (more)

[Ann O’Loughlin, BreakingNews.ie, 17 December]