Blacktown Workers Sports Club’s seniors housing development rejected

Plans to develop an 800-unit seniors housing development at Blacktown Workers Sports Club in Arndell Park have been rejected. Find out why the plans were knocked back, here.

Plans for an 800-unit seniors housing development at the Blacktown Workers Sports Club site in Arndell Park have been knocked back by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel.

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Plans to develop a seniors housing precinct with up to 800 units at Blacktown Workers Sports Club have been rejected.

The Sydney Central City Planning Panel this month knocked back the club’s plans to build a seniors living complex and aged care facility on the site of the former H.E. Laybutt reserve in Arndell Park.

The panel made a unanimous decision to refuse the application for the Reservoir Rd development, ruling the site was not compatible with “the surrounding land uses and environment”.

The proposal included the construction of up to 800 self-contained dwellings and a 160-bed aged care facility. Pictured, an artist’s impression of the development.

The proposal included the construction of up to 800 self-contained dwellings, a 160-bed aged care facility and basement parking for 880 vehicles. A swimming pool, gym, community library and craft rooms also featured in the plans.

Blacktown Workers Club group president Kay Kelly told the Advocate they would not give up on the development.

“Whilst others look at buildings, we were planning an integrated community hub which built social engagement and social inclusion to improve the lives of local people, including a range of activities to encourage healthy ageing and wellbeing,” Ms Kelly said.

The Sydney Central Planning Panel made a unanimous decision to refuse the development at the Reservoir Rd site. Pictured, an artist's impression of the development.

“Our plans are to improve lives with an amazing place to live and then use the funds to invest in our local community more than we currently do.

“We are now reviewing our options and looking at ways that we can revisit the project to ensure local people do not miss out on the lifestyle they deserve.”

The panel determined the site was zoned for private recreation and therefore not suitable for urban development.

The sites adjoining the land, zoned for low-density residential development, were also found to constrain the types of seniors housing permissible at the site.

“The proposed development is not compatible with the surrounding environment … this is principally because building height, building bulk and dwellings yield is not compatible with the existing or future desired character of the area,” the panel’s decision document said.

The plans featured a gym, swimming pool, library, craft room and communal gardens. Pictured, an artist’s impression.

Documents from the Department of Planning and Environment recommended that the panel not allow seniors housing that was not a hostel, residential care facility or serviced self-care housing on the site.

In a social infrastructure report, the club found that Blacktown’s ageing population made it a high-demand area for a seniors living. It went on to show that up to 1800 residents could be accommodated in the development, primarily those aged 55-69 who were looking to downsize.

Plans for development at Site B to the south of the Blacktown Workers Sports Club at Reservoir Rd, Arndell Park.

The development proposed to locate the housing precinct to the south of the club on the former H.E. Laybutt sporting fields.

In 2017, approval was granted to relocate the fields to the west of the club and develop a $20 million sporting complex, which was opened last month.