Planning granted for Cork Magdalene laundry site to become student housing
An artist's impression of the student accommodation development at the long-derelict Good Shepherd Convent in Cork City.
Planning permission for a large new student accommodation facility with almost 1,000 beds on a site of a former convent, orphanage and Magdalene laundry in Cork City has been approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The commission rejected an appeal by several parties against the decision of Cork City Council to grant planning permission for 274 student apartments providing 957 bed spaces in a large-scale residential development on lands at the former Good Shepherd Convent in Sunday’s Well.
However, it also imposed a condition — which had also been stipulated by the council — that construction work should cease immediately if any human remains are discovered on the site with all relevant authorities, including Cork City’s coroner and gardaí, being notified.
In a submission, the Justice for Magdalenes Research group had called on the commission to place a condition on the developer to ensure that the history of the site was fully acknowledged and to meaningfully consult with survivors, affected people and family members.
The group claims children could have been buried elsewhere on the site in locations not yet identified.
The proposed development by Bellmount Good Shepherd Limited — which is owned by developer brothers, Padraig and Seamus Kelleher — on a 3.57-hectare site will consist of eight student accommodation apartment blocks ranging in height from three to five storeys. A separate three-storey mixed-use building is also planned with shops on the ground floor and student accommodation on the upper floors.
The proposed works involve the partial demolition, conservation and redevelopment as well as extension of the former Good Shepherd Convent buildings. It is planned that the existing Gate Lodge will be converted to operate as a café and provide co-working space.
Most of the buildings on the site are now derelict and have suffered extensive fire damage with all floors, roofs and interior finishes destroyed as a result of a series of fires, including one in April 2025. The convent which opened in 1870, was closed by the Good Shepherd Sisters order in 1977.
University College Cork had planned to use the former convent and its lands for a new campus in the 1990s before abandoning the project.
Subject to compliance with a large number of conditions, including that the development must be carried out within seven years, An Coimisiún Pleanála said the plans were in accordance with the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028.
It concluded that the proposed student accommodation development would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area or other properties in the vicinity.
It also concluded that the demolition of part of the existing buildings on the site was justified and exceptional circumstances applied because of the extensive fire damage to the protected structures on the site and their continuing deterioration due to their vacant state.
Appeals against the council’s decision to grant planning permission for the student accommodation facility were made by four parties, including the Blarney Street & Surrounding Areas Community Association.
The main issues raised by the appellants included complaints that the plans represented overdevelopment of the site and failed to have regard for the historical significance of the site, including unmarked graves.
Concerns were also raised about the potential for noise and anti-social behaviour as well as issues with traffic and parking.
However, Bellmount said the proposed development, which is planned to be constructed over five phases, would deliver much-needed new development of purpose-built student accommodation within Cork City.
“The proposed development will see student accommodation provided in a location that is very accessible to high-level education campuses by means of walking, cycling and public transport,” the company stated. “The development will contribute to a mixed and inclusive neighbourhood by way of layout and shared amenity uses.”
Bellmount said it plans to create a public walkway which would connect to the site of the Magdalene cemetery, while an interpretation centre is proposed in the former bake house.
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