Chapter 3 I Delivering Homes and Communities
3.42 Ensuring a range of PBSA types within any
3.46 Cork City Council will support infill development to optimise the role that small sites in the City can play in providing new homes for Cork’s expanding population. Within historic parts of the City currently used as commercial urban centres (e.g. the City Centre and historic spine) there is considerable underutilisation of upper floor space. Bringing this space back into productive use as homes will make a valuable contribution to providing new homes, investment in historic buildings and regenerative benefits for commercial areas.
development will ensure that a range of price-points can be met. PBSAs should be developed to the highest standards to ensure that the scheme meets the needs of its residents and local service needs, where appropriate. This will mean that develop- ments should incorporate cluster flats, studios, disability flats with size variations within any floorplate design. 3.43 PBSA should provide adequate functional living space and layout for the occupants, including shared communal external and internal spaces. The design of the development must be high-quality and in accordance with the requirements of standards set out in Chapter 11 Placemaking and Managing Development. 3.44 In considering planning applications for student accommodation Cork City Council will have regard to: • The ‘Guidelines on Residential Developments for Third Level Students’ (2005); • The provisions of The National Student Accommodation Strategy (2017); • Circular PL 8/2016 APH2/2016; and • Any new or updated guidance. Adaptation of Existing Homes, Infill Development and Conversion of Upper Floors 3.45 Cork City’s existing housing stock provides a valuable resource in terms of meeting the needs of a growing population and its retention and management is of considerable importance. Retaining and adapting, as appropriate, existing housing stock is important to ensure that homes meet the requirements of modern society whilst still ensuring that this is not done at the expense of unreasonable impact on adjoining properties.
Specialist Housing Provision
Housing for Older People and People with Disabilities 3.47 An ageing population and under-occupation of Cork City’s housing stock means that providing housing products that suit “rightsizing” (downsizing), to release family units, is a key priority for Cork City. Integrated housing and community developments in the right location can provide a spectrum of housing options within neighbourhoods. Housing needs within these developments are tailored to range from independent living to assisted living, to best meet the needs of an ageing population. ‘Age Friendly Principles and Guidelines for the Planning Authority’ (Age Friendly Ireland, 2021) and Cork City Council’s ‘Age Friendly City Strategy 2016-2020’ will also provide relevant context to housing provision in Cork. Designing homes to a Universal Design Standard will also be vital to enable independent living now and in the future (see Chapter 11: Placemaking and Managing Development). 3.48 Cork City Council will work with its partners to seek to ensure that housing need is met for a range of special categories within Cork City during the Plan period.
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Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1
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