The planned conversion of a Portstewart hotel that once housed asylum seekers, aims to address a “critical shortage” of student accommodation.
Prior to its last incarnation as the Ramble Inn, the building on Church Street was a nursing home.
But until August 2025, it was being used as “contingency accommodation” for refugees by Home Office contractors Mears Group.
The building is now the subject of an application to turn it into ‘University Halls of Residence’ with 45 en suite bedrooms.
“The applicant understands that the shortage of student accommodation is now becoming critical and so additional supply is urgently required if the University is to continue to grow”, state documents accompanying the planning application.
Read the full story in this week’s Chronicle