Decision on Cuckoo’s Nest plans branded ‘disgrace’ by residents
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A TEMPLE Woods resident has branded South Dublin County Council’s decision to grant permission for the former site of the Cuckoo’s Nest pub to house a café and four-storey apartment block as “a disgrace”.
Developer Legendstand’s plans for the pub have been a point of contention for residents in the adjoining housing estate, Temple Woods in Kilnamanagh, where the former site of the landmark pub is located, fronting onto the Greenhills Road.
An artisits impression of the Cuckoo's Nest
Last January the Meath-based developer sought permission for the demolition of the pub, to make way for the construction of an apartment building, but they later withdrew these plans and submitted new ones – for the ground-floor café and apartment-block developments.
The developer lodged plans for the former pub to house a ground-floor café and a two-bed apartment at first floor, and for the development of an 18-unit apartment block at the rear of the pub, last September.
These plans attracted 32 submissions, the majority of which objected to the plans on a number of grounds, including concerns about the impact it would have on traffic, and the desire to protect the historical placement of the Cuckoo’s Nest and to retain a pub amenity at that site.
The local authority granted permission for the plans last week, with a number of conditions, including the stipulation that three apartment units in the scheme are to be omitted in order to enlarge the other apartments.
Other conditions include the instruction that all works should be carried out “in accordance with good conservation practice and principles, ensuring minimal intervention and no damage or risk to the original built fabric.”
Cuckoo’s Nest
Tommy Kenny from the Temple Woods Residents’ Association, who lodged an objection to the plans, told The Echo: “They want to build a four-storey monstrosity right in front of our houses.
“I’m disgusted at the planning authority for allowing this. We’re completely bewildered – we can’t believe it.”
Mr Kenny added that many residents feel that the developer misled them, as in the brochure that all prospective buyers were given about Temple Woods, it was mentioned that a gastro-pub would be located at the former site of the Cuckoo’s Nest.
“They misrepresented the Temple Woods package,” said Mr Kenny. “There’s a financial implication too – something like this could devalue our houses.
“Everybody will be affected by the excess overflow of traffic in the estate [if the plans go ahead].
“I object to this and any application that doesn’t reflect the original application [for the development of a pub]. It’s a disgrace that this got planning permission.
“We’ll have to consider if we’ll stay here under these conditions, and also the stress that’s associated with it too.”
Mr Kenny added that the Temple Woods Residents’ Association is planning to lodge an appeal with An Bord Pleanála in the coming weeks, against South Dublin County Council’s decision.
The Temple Woods development was completed last year, and residents moved into the 29 houses and six apartments in the estate shortly afterwards.
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