Planning for student apartments fast tracked
The developers behind a proposal that would provide almost 300 student bed spaces at North Main St in Cork city centre have been cleared to apply for fast-track planning.
Bmor Developments Ltd have just been given the go-ahead to lodge plans under the Strategic Housing Development process by An Bord Pleánala, with just a few minor amendments, according to a spokesperson for the planning authority.
If the development goes ahead, it will bring more than 700 additional student beds to the city, as 420 student beds are coming on stream at the Lee Point complex on the former Beamish and Crawford brewery site on South Main St.
In relation to Bmor, the planning authority spokesperson said: “The developers were told that subject to some amendments, which are minor, that they are free to make the application under the Strategic Housing Development process.”
Bmor had requested a consultation with An Bord Pleanála to see if it was possible for the development to qualify as a Strategic Housing Development.
The Strategic Housing Development process allows developers to bypass local authority planning for housing projects above 100 homes in order to fast-track delivery.
The site is located between 92 and 96 North Main St, part of which is currently vacant.
Bmor said it acquired the site in April 2018 and said the development will drive the regeneration of one of Cork’s most historic streets and reinstate a historic laneway.
The company said they hope to complete the project by September 2021.
Once Bmor makes its application to An Bord Pleanála, it is obliged to notify the public who will then have six weeks to make observations on the development plans.
