A computer-generated view of how The Lough apartments will look.

Lord Mayor hits out at decision to grant permission for student apartments at The Lough

CORK'S Lord Mayor Mick Finn has hit out at a decision by An Bord Pleanála to give the go-ahead for a new student accommodation block at The Lough.

Rejecting an appeal by residents and local politicians, the planning authority said the proposed student development would make a positive contribution to the landscape of the area and would not be damaging to residents or the biodiversity of The Lough.

It also said it was satisfied it would be acceptable in terms of traffic and pedestrian safety.

Locals had campaigned to block the development on the grounds that the area was

“We cannot on the one hand hope to build and maintain communities in the city if we decide to land big blocks of student accommodation in the middle of established residential area,” Mr Finn said.

“There is no common sense in that to me or no sustainable planning sense.”

Developers Lyonshall Limited are now free to move ahead with plans for five apartment blocks varying in height from three to four storeys.

Between them they will contain 49 apartments that will house 350 students.

Councillor Paudie Dineen, who was also involved in the appeal, said it appeared the Cork City development plan 2015 to 2021 had been disregarded.

“It seems that planning officials can shift the goal posts to suit developers rather than protect residents and the communities that they live in,” he said.

An Bord Pleanála imposed a number of conditions on the development, including that the property can only be used for student accommodation.

Permission for the apartments, which has been granted by Cork City Council, were appealed on a number of grounds, including that the development was too high and would visually impact on nearby homes. Residents also said the area already suffered as a result an overconcentration of student accommodation and resulting anti-social behaviour.

“I realise we need more student accommodation, but we also need more residential builds which will benefit local schools and sports clubs that student accommodation will not,” Mr Finn added. “Sometimes it feels local residents are not listened to at all: this has to change.”