Appeal to An Bord Pleanala over refusal of student accommodation in Newcastle

Galway Bay fm newsroom – An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala over the refusal of a proposed student accommodation block in Newcastle.

The plans would have seen two semi-detached homes joined together and converted.

Last month, city planners refused plans to merge 7 and 9 Upper Newcastle Road to form a 13-bed student block.

Similar plans were also rejected in 2019, for being out of character with the area and potentially setting a poor precedent.

The homes are located beside an existing Centra shop, just a stones throw from the University of Galway campus.

Permission had been granted in 2020 for a merge to create a single five-bed home, but Berls Development Ltd had applied to change that plan.

Now, after having the proposal turned down by city planners, it’s lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala.

A decision is due in October.