Residents raise €2,000 for Cuckoo’s Nest appeal
By Aideen O'Flaherty
TWO local residents’ groups came together to raise over €2,000 to lodge an appeal with An Bord Pleanála, against the council’s decision to grant permission for a developer’s plans to change the former Cuckoo’s Nest pub into a café with a first-floor apartment, and for the construction of an apartment block to the rear of the landmark former pub.
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.
Residents have lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála
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 month, 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.
After South Dublin County Council granted permission for the plans, members of Temple Woods Residents’ Association pooled money together to pay solicitors fees – which totalled €1,968 – and the €220 fee to lodge an appeal.
However, the association had a shortfall of €275 that they needed to reach to afford the fees for the application, leading John Conroy, from Kilnamanagh Neighbourhood Watch, to get in touch to let the residents’ association, know that they supported the appeal and would help cover the shortfall.
Tommy Kenny from the Temple Woods Residents’ Association told The Echo: “The bulk of the money came from Temple Woods residents, who were very generous.
“We were anticipating a shortfall, which we did have, and John Conroy from Kilnamanagh Neighbourhood Watch got in touch and told us there were people in Kilnamanagh who would like to support us.
“We’re overwhelmed with everyone’s support and generosity. We were pleasantly surprised to have been able to raise this money, and we hope that the money we’ve spent on the appeal gives us a decent chance with An Bord Pleanála.
“The solicitor we used is a specialist in planning appeals and we’re very happy with how the appeal has turned out – it’s quite technical and legal.”
The residents’ association has outlined a number of reasons in their appeal as to why they believe the council’s decision to grant permission should be overturned, including concerns about erroneous mapping, car-parking and traffic, the impact the development could have on local amenity, and concerns about archaeology and archaeological conservation.
Other points of concern raised in their appeal include habitats and environmental protection, the height of the proposed apartment building, and the proximity of the proposed development to the existing Temple Woods estate.
A decision on the appeal has not yet been made by An Bord Pleanála.
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