Family home site could offer possible development potential

HOUSE or site? That’s the question here at Sandymount on School Avenue in Glasheen, Cork.

This detached bungalow is right up to the boundary of Glasheen school, in one of the most in-demand locations in the city.

A walk to UCC and the Bon Secours Hospital, this house is close to a quiet residential area, but has been let recently. It’s now being sold by its investor owner and could attract developers as much as home buyers, says Peter Skuse of Cahalane Skuse Auctioneers.

He’s inviting offers in the region of €335,000 for this four-bed, which is a good price considering three-bed semis in nearby Lima Lawn sell for over €400,000.

After all, he points out, the house is in very good condition, has gas heating, PVC windows and has the potential to be extended.

And space is good: the living room has dimensions of 18’ by 12’ with a good square bay and it also has extra high ceilings. The kitchen/dining room has patio doors to the back garden and comes fitted with wall and floor units: it measures 14’6” by 12’. Then, there are four bedrooms, three of which are doubles and a main bathroom with electric shower.

The site is rather snug on both sides, which could put off family buyers, but the potential of a small residential apartment development on the site might be possible, subject to planning. There are similar in-fill schemes nearby.

The advent of Section 50 student apartments in the western suburbs of Cork city has drawn strong local opposition, but has also had a beneficial effect on the Glasheen/Magazine and College road areas of Cork city.

Here, rental properties are on the decline and families are moving back into what has to be one of the most convenient locations in the city.

Large green spaces, such as FitzGerald’s Park, the Lee Fields and the grounds of UCC, are on the doorstep for younger families while working parents can leave the car behind as the city is just a 10-minute walk away.

And there’s plenty of local amenities, including a large swimming pool and leisure centre.