People have a deep affection for the ‘Nest’
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THE Cuckoo’s Nest pub on the Greenhills Road has been described as being the “heartbeat” of the community, following a well-attended public meeting in St Kevin’s Resource Centre about the fate of the pub on Monday, and plans are in place for a street meeting on Saturday.
The Temple Woods Residents’ Association, named after the new housing estate beside The Cuckoo’s Nest, held the public meeting to voice their concerns about the housing developer’s plans to demolish the pub to make way for a four-storey apartment building.
The Cuckoo's Nest
As previously reported in The Echo, a planning application was lodged with South Dublin County Council last January, seeking permission to modify the original planning permission for the site – which included permission for the development of a pub.
Applicant Legendstand sought permission for the “demolition of the remainder of the existing public house and in its place, the construction of a four-storey apartment building.”
In late January, the application was deemed invalid by county planners as the newspaper notice did not comply with planning and development regulations.
However, in recent weeks, Legendstand resubmitted the application seeking the demolition of The Cuckoo’s Nest and the construction of 11 one-bed and 15 two-bed apartments in a four-storey apartment building.
The Temple Woods Residents’ Association’s draft objection to the plans cites alleged “developer misrepresentation” as one of their reasons for objecting, as the development of a gastropub at the site of The Cuckoo’s Nest was mentioned in the brochure that was given to potential buyers.
The residents’ association has also stated that it’s concerned about the potential demolition of the pub as even though it’s not a Protected Structure, the residents’ association views it as “a historical structure of great social and recreational importance.”
The potential for issues with parking and traffic in the area if the apartment development gets the green light have also been stated as concerns within the residents’ association’s objection.
Over 130 people attended the public meeting on Monday, including Fiona Lynch, the daughter of Peadar and Phyllis Lynch, the former proprietors of the landmark pub, and she gave an emotional speech about the important role the pub has played in the community.
Tommy Kenny from Temple Woods Residents’ Association told The Echo: “The meeting was jampacked, and everyone was very united [against the demolition of the pub].
“We all agreed that this needs to be fought, and fought vigorously.
“People from the area have a deep affection for the pub, and when Fiona spoke it really brought home the intensity of the attachment that people in the area have [for the pub].
“There is a heartbeat in that building.”
Mr Kenny added: “People from Aylesbury, Tymon, Kingswood and Old Bawn were at the meeting and they all had the same feelings for and connections to The Cuckoo’s Nest, so it’s not just the immediate community around the pub that feels that way.”
A street meeting, organised by Solidarity councillors Kieran Mahon and Mick Murphy, is being held at the Cuckoo’s Nest site this Saturday, February 23, at 5pm.
According to Cllr Mick Murphy, the street meeting has been called to discuss the new planning application, which seeks to knock the pub and replace it with apartments.
“We will be arguing that the project that is agreed for the site as per [current] planning permission, which includes a pub being re-instated along with a restaurant, be completed ASAP,” Cllr Murphy said.
“There will be a submission to that effect available at the meeting for co-signing by residents.”
Submissions in relation to the planning application will be accepted by the council until March 4, and the council will make a decision on whether to grant permission for the modification by March 25.
