Residents up in arms over plans for Cuckoo’s Nest site
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A TEMPLE Woods resident has said that “the time for niceties is over”, in his objection to plans for the former site of the Cuckoo’s Nest pub on the Greenhills Road.
Developer Legendstand 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 month.
The Cuckoo’s Nest pub site on the Greenhills Road
The pub has been at the centre of contentious plans by the developer, who is behind the adjoining Temple Woods housing estate, as last January the Meath-based developer sought permission for the demolition of the pub, to make way for the construction of an apartment building.
The houses in Temple Woods are now all occupied, and at viewings potential buyers were given brochures which mentioned plans for a gastropub in the place of The Cuckoo’s Nest, which the developer had received planning permission for in the initial planning application.
Last January, the developer sought permission for 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 in its place, but they later withdrew these plans and submitted new ones – for the ground floor café and apartment block developments.
Temple Woods resident Tommy Kenny lodged an objection to the plans this week, where he detailed feeling misled and deceived by the developer’s plans.
In his submission, Mr Kenny said: “The time for niceties is over. The developer lied bare-faced to all the people who bought his houses, and then submitted an application to build a monstrosity instead of what he promised us, with absolutely no respect for our wellbeing.
“Not once did he seek to consult us or make us aware of his intentions. He had all our money and was now looking for more.”
A section of the original brochure stating that the Cuckoo’s Nest would be redesigned and renovated into a Gastro style pub
Mr Kenny urged South Dublin County Council to refuse permission for the development, adding: “If the planners grant permission to the developer to build this monstrosity, then we have to consider selling up.
“Nobody in Temple Woods wants to leave, but we will if this permission is granted.
“Reject this proposal. Insist on building the approved Cuckoo’s Nest renovation. Send out a strong signal to all developers, who think they can do as they please with people’s lives.”
Legendstand were contacted for comment, but a response was not received in time for print.
A decision on their application for planning permission is due from the council by November 6.
