Swiss Cottage set to be demolished

A PLANNING application to demolish the Swiss Cottage Bar and Restaurant and build 89 apartments and retail units has been lodged with Dublin City Council.

The application seeks to construct a five-storey mixed-use development on the site of the well-known pub, comprising two retail outlets, a café and a takeaway at ground floor level.

According to the planning application, the  apartments will be made up of 34 one-bed, 45 two-bed and 10 three-bed units, all with balconies or terraces to the north, south and west.

New vehicle and pedestrian access from Schoolhouse Lane are also part of the proposal and there will parking for 100 cars.

There will also be 26 bicycle spaces at Schoolhouse Lane, 45 spaces at basement level and a further 44 in a courtyard that forms part of the plan.

The application was lodged on January 10 and came after a previous application lodged last month was rejected as council planners deemed it was “insufficient for the information of the public”.

Back in 2007 the council refused permission for a mixed-use development on the site for 94 dwellings and a commercial concern.

An application for the local pub’s demolition and construction of a three-storey, mixed use building was granted permission in 2016 as well as a separate proposal for five houses on the site.

Local councillor Noeleen Reilly (SF) said demolition of the Swiss Cottage would mark a new beginning for the Santry area.

 However, she believed that many locals would be sorry to see the landmark watering hole go.

“Any new development and investment in the area is to be welcomed but I’ve no doubt the customers and staff of the Swiss Cottage will be upset at this news,” she continued.

“There are very few public houses in the area and the Swiss was enjoyed by people not only from Santry but also Ballymun and Whitehall.

“Many people will be disappointed at this news as a public house will not appear in the new development.”

Cllr Reilly added: “I hope the residents in the nearby estates of Schoolhouse lane Magenta Crescent and Burnside are not badly affected by the works and there is an onus on the developer to meet with them and go through any issues they may have.”