Plans for Ringaskiddy student apartments near UCC research centre rejected

The proposal included plans for 24 student houses, comprising 192 study bedrooms and additional communal amenities.

The houses would be two-storey dormer-style houses, purpose-built for the student population of the area.

Ringaskiddy is home to MaREI, the energy, climate and marine research centre coordinated by UCC.

Cork County Council planners blocked the scheme, noting that it was not satisfied the development could be accommodated without "adversely affecting the ecological and biodiversity value of the site."

Protected bat species

Concerns were raised about the information provided in relation to bat activity in the area, and the habitats in the area.

PByrne Limited appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála which has now shot it down for several reasons, including concerns of its potential negative impact on a protected species of bat.

In its latest ruling, An Bord Pleanála said there were significant limitations in the information provided in the planning files about the extent of bat activity on the 1.1-hectare site near a former post office and the Ferry Boat Inn.

For that reason, the board said it could not be satisfied that the proposed development would not have a significant impact on such protected species.

The board also referred to its own inspector's report, which raised concerns about the scale, quality and design of the proposed development.

Elsewhere, planning has been granted for the change-of-use of a ground-floor deli to be used as a cafe in Ballincollig, Co Cork.

Micheal Ó Crualaoí has been approved for the development, which is located at Ó Crualaoí's butchers on the main street in Ballincollig.

The new cafe will also include a retractable awning and new signage.