NUIG proposes to build new 400-bed student village

An application to build units accommodating over 400 students has been lodged with the city planners by NUI Galway after original designs were altered following consultation with local residents.

The development rising to five storeys in height adjacent to the Corrib Village student complex is planned for a site behind seven properties along Newcastle Road Upper.

The development involves 429 bedspaces, arranged in 57 units of six en-suite bedrooms, 11 units of five en-suite bedrooms and eight units of 4 en-suite bedrooms, with communal living areas in each. The development will be in one five-storey block and three 3 and 4 storey blocks.

Further communal areas and facilities are part of the design.

Of the houses nearest to the development, four are residential, with one used as a doctor’s surgery, one a crèche and the other a facility operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Of the four still being lived in, one was recently built by the University to accommodate a family who sold their house to the institution to build a new entrance opposite the G&L Centra along Upper Newcastle Road.

The plans were lodged on Monday after they were revised following discussions with residents and local councillors. In its information booklet, NUIG explained there was a significant shortage of student bed spaces – there are currently 2,700 purpose-built beds available to meet a core demand from 9,500 students.

Councillor Billy Cameron said the project raised the alarm bells of residents due to its scale, proximity to homes and antisocial behaviour that may arise once students moved in.

“I must say in my 11 years as a councillor and having worked with various residents’ associations in the area and meeting with NUIG authorities, the local community Garda, and students’ union, we never came across a problem of antisocial behaviour emanating from Corrib Village so when they voiced concerns about antisocial behaviour I can’t agree with that. It’s a very well run complex with high security,” remarked Cllr Cameron.

“The issue of antisocial behaviour in privately-rented houses has diminished incredibly over the last few years due to liaising with the Community Garda, residents’ association and the students’ union. We had only one occasion last year of antisocial behaviour and that was during the unofficial Rag Week.”

The revised plans have reduced the height of the blocks closest to the private back gardens to three storeys at the closest point to the boundary, stepping up to four and five storeys towards the river.

The architects have also moved the three storey blocks a further three metres from the boundary with the neighbouring properties, leaving the three storey blocks now within 11 metres of the boundary, stepping up to four storeys at 21 metres from the boundary, and the five storey blocks at 71 metres from the boundary.

Vehicular access to the development will be via the existing Corrib Village access road and like that development, it is proposed to make it available for short-term visitor letting during the summer months.

There continues to be some concerns among residents in neighbouring estates about the impact of parking.

“I will be looking for further clarification about whether the under-utilised car park further north of Corrib Village can be used for parking by the development, perhaps for a small supplementary payment. This would alleviate the worries of residents in Greenfields and Fairlands as it has 400 spaces,” explained Cllr Cameron.

While he was originally unimpressed with the fascade of the building – believing it to be “a bit Soviet in style” – further enlarged slides have shown it was “not as harsh”.

“People recognise there’s a shortage of accommodation, not just for students but for the general public because there’s been no building for seven years. So something has to happen to free up accommodation,” the Labour councillor remarked.

Residents now have several weeks to lodge submissions in relation to the application. A decision is due to be made by the planners to accept or reject the proposal by October.