Derry residents voice anger at 40-bed Park Avenue student accommodation proposals

Derry people voiced fierce criticism at an information evening for the proposed redevelopment of a derelict property into student accommodation.

The developer and architect were present to answer questions on the redevelopment of the property at 29 Park Avenue.

The developer, Seamus Clarke, would not discuss the proposals with the Derry News as plans were not officially lodged yet.

Many residents spoke about worries from partying to parking at the proposed five level and 44 bedroom property.

Eamonn Fisher has lived in the area for 40 years and is not convinced the plans will have a positive influence on the area.

“I think it's ridiculous,” he said. “I think it's overdevelopment of the site and after speaking with the architect and the developer himself, they seem very naive in what they think that they might get.

“They said it was maybe an alternative to a lot of HMOs (house in multiple occupation) so they could gather the HMOs up and put them into one place so it can be controlled.

“It's definitely massively overdeveloped, four or five stories, maybe even six stories, and they're not happy that people don't seem to think that it's a good idea.”

Park Avenue residents gathered to view the plans and give their views to the developer and architect

Mr Fisher said the site has been rundown for several years and locals have worked to keep it safe.

“I've been working along with the Glen [Community Initiative] here to keep it secure at times when it was on fire.

“So what we've been told here now is it's a drug den and this will be better than a drug den. I don't think it's a great alternative.”

The developers told residents they intend to lease the property to Ulster University (UU) for management and UU don't expect the students to come with cars.

“They said parking wouldn't be an issue because they're coming in by aeroplane. Who in their right mind thinks that about 45 single students? He said it was medical students, during term time,” Mr Fisher said.

“This isn't endorsed by Magee, although they floated it, and it isn't endorsed by Glenn Development Initiative, they platformed it.

“They've piggy-backed on the numbers [Magee is aiming for] – we agree with that but this is an ongoing situation for 38 years, trying to do it, but go to the proper bodies and see what they can do by zoning land at Duncreggan road or somewhere that's actually suitable.”

There were some feedback forms available on the night along with a QR code to an online survey, however, Mr Fisher doesn't believe they were put there in good faith.

“Most people in here don't scan barcodes. I don't think that they're actually looking for feedback. They came in to suggest something. The response is mostly negative because of the area and the built environment that's there.”

Another resident, Dermott McNabb, lives next door to the development and says it will sorely stand out in the area.

“I can understand how the developer wants to put something into that site that's going to make him some money to his best economic advantage but it has no relevance at all to the local area,” he said.

“It's domineering, it changes the character of the local area. It was a beautiful residential house. It's destroyed and will probably have to come down but something in keeping with the area should be built that we can live with and we can look at.”

He believes the area does not have the infrastructure to cope with the number of additional people the property would attract.

“There's going to be 44 students in it. So, regardless of what they're saying about a contract with Magee, most of them are going to have cars. There's going to be 44 wheelie bins. It's just too concentrated a development for that area.

“At the moment there are no parking facilities at all. There's a lot of antisocial behaviour in the whole Park Avenue area. and this is not going to help.”

Upper entrance to the proposed student property at 29 Park Avenue

A resident raised a concern about another HMO that has a private garden, leading to students having 'barbecues, parties and sunbathing'. The developer told them 'that's why we kept the outside space to a minimum'.

Another resident said the lack of student accommodation was a structural issue, which could not be fixed 'on a wee corner site'.

Sewage infrastructure and the proposed tower obstructing the sky were also raised.

As the Magee campus aims to reach 10,000 students, Ulster University (UU) has frequently called for more student HMOs.

In the case of a HMO application in Nicholson Terrace, which was rejected by Council, UU Residential Life Manager Oonagh Mc Alister urged the council to accept it and more student housing.

“The changing nature of the courses at Derry and increase in international student intake, means a greater proportion of students seeking to stay rather than travel to campus,” she wrote in October 2023.

“The 2023 Cushman & Wakefield report indicates there is a need for an additional 500-700 student beds in Derry-Londonderry.

“Academic planning figures for Derry for 2023-24 indicate increasing student numbers of about 7% primarily international students and another year of the Medical School.”

In February, Council passed a motion to request a meeting with UU representatives so they could take questions from councillors about the support for HMOs.

UU was contacted for comment on the proposal.