Residents opposing student bed spaces plan

Galway City Tribune – Plans are in the pipeline for the construction of nearly 700 new student bed spaces in two separate developments in the city.

The developments are expected to relieve pressure on Galway’s spiralling rental market . . . but one of them is already generating significant opposition from local residents.

Exeter Property Group, one of the biggest property investment groups in the world, is in consultations with An Bord Pleanála on a proposal to construct 405 student bed spaces at its Cúirt na Coiribe development on the Headford Road, while Montane Developments is planning more than 270 bed spaces beside Crestwood on the Coolough Road, which has already raised the ire of local residents, who will be calling for an oral hearing.

It is understood that Exeter is looking at developing land it owns to the front of its existing student accommodation.

The US-owned fund has begun the process of making an application under Strategic Housing Development (SHD) legislation – which allows applications for 200 or more student bed spaces to be made directly to the Board following initial consultations with local authorities.

The Board will decide this month if the plans meet requirements under the SHD process and if a full application can then be submitted. That application is then likely to be submitted before the end of the year.
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