Plans Lodged For 39-bed Student Accommodation On Coleraine’s Railway Road

Plans have been submitted for a change of use at 22, 22a and 24 Railway Road, Coleraine, proposing the conversion of the first floor of an existing town centre building from offices to student accommodation.

The application seeks permission to provide 39 student bedrooms with associated communal living accommodation by means of internal alterations to the upper floor of the property. The applicant is listed as DJGK Holdings, with Lewis Mervyn Acheson and James Logue named in the submission.

The proposal follows recent coverage last month, when it was reported that plans to redevelop the building had been announced. 

According to the accompanying Design and Access Statement, the site is located within the town centre and lies within the settlement limits defined by the Northern Area Plan 2016. The building fronts Railway Road and includes rear vehicular access from Brook Street. While the site is within an area of archaeological potential, no further planning designations apply.

The planning statement notes that the development does not involve an increase in the building’s height or footprint and does not propose significant external alterations. Instead, the scheme focuses on the reuse of underutilised upper-floor space, which the applicant says aligns with planning policy objectives encouraging town centre regeneration and the efficient use of existing buildings.

The proposed accommodation is described as purpose-built for students, comprising individual bedrooms alongside shared kitchen and living areas. The internal layout has been designed to provide adequate levels of daylight, ventilation and privacy, with lift and stair access serving the upper floor. The central location is highlighted for its close proximity to public transport, shops, and educational facilities.

The statement also addresses potential impacts on neighbouring properties, stating that the accommodation's location on the upper floor, combined with the absence of new external openings, will avoid unacceptable overlooking or loss of privacy. Provision is included for waste storage and rear parking, supported by a submitted waste management plan.

The applicant argues the proposal complies with relevant planning policies, including the Northern Area Plan 2016 and Planning Policy Statement 7, which sets standards for residential development. Student accommodation is assessed as a form of residential use considered appropriate within a mixed-use town centre setting.

In its conclusion, the planning statement suggests the development would support the vitality of Coleraine town centre by increasing residential occupation, supporting local businesses and strengthening links between the town centre and the student population.

The application will now be considered by planners at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council as part of the planning process.