Welcome for plans to transform former Summerhill College into student accommodation

News that the plans are afoot to convert the old Summerhill College building into student accommodation have been welcomed by Cllr Marie Casserly. She said; 'It is very encouraging to see a proposal that would give this historic building a new purpose while also helping to address the growing demand for student accommodation in Sligo.' Cllr Casserly said the proposal represents, 'a very positive development for Sligo, addressing two important issues: the need to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into productive use and the ongoing shortage of suitable accommodation for students.' Read more Plan to turn former derelict Summerhill College building into student accommodation Highlighting the difficulty the lack of student accommodation in Sligo is currently presenting for students and their families, Cllr Casserly stated, 'We know that finding affordable and suitable accommodation is a significant challenge for students and their families. Accommodation pressures can influence whether young people choose to study locally or have to travel further afield to pursue their education. 'Bringing a building that has been vacant and deteriorating back into use is also a welcome step in tackling dereliction and making better use of the buildings and infrastructure we already have in our town.' Cllr Casserly also noted the importance of bringing a new lease of life to historical buildings that have fallen into disrepair saying, 'Importantly, the proposal also includes conservation and repair works to this protected structure, helping to preserve an important part of Sligo's built heritage.' Cllr Casserly also highlighted the significance of investment of this scale in the town saying it will help make Sligo a more desirable and appealing place for a number of reasons. 'I would strongly welcome investment of this nature in Sligo. We need to see more initiatives that support our third-level students, strengthen our town centre and make Sligo an attractive place to live, study and work. 'I hope this proposal can progress through the planning process and ultimately deliver a positive outcome for Sligo.' Sligo County Council have indicated a decision will be made in relation to the planning application by January 5, 2027. Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.