Massive student accommodation complex planned for Limerick city’s outskirts

PLANNING permission is to be sought for a new multi-storey student accommodation development, which could deliver up to 1,400 bed spaces in Limerick.

Groody Developments Ltd are seeking the go-ahead for a purpose-built student accommodation scheme on land fronting the Groody Road and Dublin Road in Castletroy.

The firm is seeking permission to be valid for a period of seven years.

It's anticipated the development will tower up between five and eight storeys.

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It will consist of 196 'clusters' across five separate blocks, an application shows.

These will range in height from five to eight storeys.

According to the plan, the development will bring a total of 1,400 student bedspaces, as well as a number of other amenities for students including a library, a union, a laundry room and two canteens.

These will be deliverted in two phases of development across five blocks, A to E, and are being described by the developer as bed 'clusters'.

Block A will see eight storeys providing 28 clusters, with 224 bed spaces.

It will be this block which houses a library, and a student union facility.

Block B will rise up seven storeys providing 52 clusters, with 400 bed spaces.

This block looks set to accommdate the reception and office, a laundry room, and a canteen.

Block C will be six-storeys providing 51 clusters, with 355 bed spaces.

It will be home to a student gym among other facilities.

Also over six levels, block D will include 32 clusters and 211 bed spaces, another student canteen and a student supply retail unit.

The final block E, over five storeys will house 33 clusters with 210 bed spaces.

Vehicular access to the site will be from the Groody Road with pedestrian access to the Dublin Road.

On top of the building work, there are proposals to provide landscaped courtyards, natural landscaping and public walkways around the site.

It's also proposed to convert the student halls into short-term accommodation lets outside term-time.

The development of student housing will no doubt be welcomed by those attending University of Limerick.

Last year, a survey carried out by its student union UL Life, revealed more than 35% of its members were being forced to commute long distances to Limerick, as well as stay in hotels, sleep in their cars, cope with homelessness, or reside in emergency accommodation.

Many felt squeezed out by the prices being asked for student housing locally.

The developer has two weeks to furnish Limerick City and County Council with the documentation for the massive development.

The public will have the chance to have their say on the proposals.

The application may also be inspected online at www.whiteboxstudentcampus.ie