‘Glut’ of student units slammed

CONCERNS have been raised over the amount of student accommodation being developed in the north inner city.

Student accommodation schemes involving more than 200 bed spaces can be fast-tracked under the Strategic Housing Developments Scheme (SHD) and planning applications have ramped up since it was introduced three years ago.

Labour Spokesperson for Urban Regeneration, Joe Costello, says there is now a glut of student accommodation in the north inner city, with virtually all of it in residential areas.

The current Dublin City Development Plan aims to promote Dublin as an international student city and encourages the development of student housing.

In addition, a Higher Education Authority report from 2015 found unprecedented growth in the sector and increasing demand for suitable student accommodation.

However, Costello believes the proliferation of student developments has now become ‘alarming’.

"Much of the accommodation is concentrated around the new Technological University of Dublin in Grangegorman but it extends all across the north inner city,” he said.

“A 329 unit development of student accommodation is nearing completion on Montpelier Hill beside the Phoenix Park at one end of the electoral area and a 1,000 unit has planning permission at the Point Depot at the other boundary.

“In between there is in the region of 8,000 units. Both Trinity College and DCU are sourcing student accommodation in the area.

“The concentration means that many settled communities are being suddenly overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of newcomers.”

Costello claims the character of areas like Stoneybatter are now under threat as the transient population in student developments will eventually outnumber locals.

“The entire dynamics of the area will change dramatically in the next couple of years,” he added.

“This is not good planning and could destroy the unique character of this fragile urban village.”

Costello is calling on Dublin City Council to halt any more planning applications for student accommodation in the North Inner City.

“There should be a moratorium declared,” he said.

"Secondly, Dublin City Council should now put in place a Local Area Plan for the Stoneybatter/Grangegorman area so that comprehensive preparations can be made to cater for the massive influx of students and Airbnb visitors to the area."