A vacant city office block is to be converted into student and tourist accommodation for up to 90 people.
Galway City Council has given the green light for the redevelopment of the block at Sandyfort Business Centre beside Cemetery Cross.
‘Swuite Bohermore’ will be run by an international accommodation company and some student residents will be appointed as paid ‘wardens’ to police anti-social behaviour.
Earlier this year, Kildare-based Tim Sheahan of IVS Student Development Bohermore Ltd sought permission for a change of use of the building to 77 professionally-managed student and self-catering holiday apartment suites (65 single suites, 8 twin suites and 4 two-bed suites); a reception area, TV/cinema lounge, juice bar and games area, roof terrace with seating and basement parking for 57 cars and 63 bicycles.
IVS is part of the Iveragh Student Accommodation group, which has extensive experience in designing and developing purpose-built student accommodation in Ireland, the UK and Germany.
“Swuite Bohermore offers high quality and professionally-managed student and holiday self-catering apartment suites and ancillary facilities specifically designed for use during the college semester by senior undergraduates, post-graduates and visiting academics and in the summer season by short-term tourist visitors,” the planning application reads.
The suites are single and twin occupancy and are fitted with private en suite bathrooms, wardrobe and under-bed storage, double size bed and kitchenette.
A management team will be employed by IVS and will include a full-time operations manager, an administrator, a site maintenance worker and cleaning staff.
“During the academic semesters, out-of-hours times will be covered by a concierge or overnight security professional and retained student wardens with a mature outlook and who are resident on site and fully-trained in Health & Safety matters,” the application reads.
Following concerns from local residents, the applicant said that access to the roof terrace will be facilitated by management on a pre-arranged basis.
“The area will be designated a ‘quiet zone’ and all activities will be monitored by staff on CCTV. All users of this space will be reminded of their Health & Safety obligations and the need to demonstrate good neighbourliness.
“All residents must abide by the Code of Conduct accompanying their tenancy agreement in the development.
“Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in this area or any other area of the facility and any breaches will be severely deal with,” the applicant said.
The residents from a house at adjacent Grealishtown told planners: “Our rear garden is an amenity that is very precious to us. It is very calm, peaceful and secluded. The thought of being overlooked by strangers between the hours of 10am to 9.30pm fills us with dread.”
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