24/6244

Permission for retention of the change of use of the existing ground floor access hallway, access stairwell, 3 number first floor apartments and external common areas, 3 number second floor apartments and external common areas and 3 number third floor apartments and common areas (9 number apartments in total) from residential apartments to its current use as emergency accommodation for displaced person or persons seeking international protection along with all associated works.

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The loss of nine long-term residential apartments within a designated Rent Pressure Zone to emergency accommodation, which exacerbates the local housing shortage and conflicts with national and local housing strategies.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The retention of the change of use would withdraw 9 residential apartments from the available long-term housing supply in a designated Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) where demand is high.
  • The proposal is inconsistent with the Government’s 'Housing For All' policy and the Joint Housing Strategy of the Cork County Development Plan 2022-2028, which aim to increase housing supply and meet diverse social needs.
  • Permitting the development would set an undesirable precedent for similar conversions, further depleting permanent residential stock and injuring the amenities of the area.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Joint Housing Strategy in the Cork County Development Plan 2022-2028

Decision Document Summary

The application sought permission for the retention of a change of use at 108 Thomas Davis Street, Mallow, to facilitate emergency accommodation for displaced persons or those seeking international protection. The site is located within the Mallow Local Electoral Area Rent Pressure Zone, an area defined by high housing demand and limited supply. The Planning Authority refused the proposal on the grounds that it would permanently remove nine residential units from the long-term rental market, the...
SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.