Belmont: Fourth storey and rooftop terrace additions for new seniors living project on old Sporties site

A developer behind plans to turn an old licenced club into a seniors living complex at Lake Macquarie has lodged revised plans for an extra storey, a rooftop terrace and bigger basement.

Artist's impression of amended plans for a four-storey seniors living development on the old Belmont Sporties Club site. Picture: supplied

Amended plans have been lodged for a senior living complex at Lake Macquarie that will see it raised by 7.3m to accommodate an extra storey and a rooftop terrace complete with bar/dining area, gym, yoga room and outdoor barbecue.

Oak Tree Retirement Villages secured approval from the Hunter Central Coast Regional Planning Panel for a three-storey, 75-unit seniors living complex on the old Belmont Sporties Club in June 2022.

It has since lodged an amended development application (DA) to increase the build to four storeys to accommodate a further 26 units along with a rooftop terrace and a larger underground basement car park for an extra 32 spaces.

The additional storey will increase the overall height of the building by 3.5m across most of the site and up to 7.3m for the rooftop terrace, which will feature a 11sq m dining area and bar, 50sq m gym, 50sq m yoga/pilates room an and outdoor courtyard with a barbecue and seating.

The changes will also include a minor realignment to the driveway entry to accommodate five visitor spaces and seven electric vehicle charging spaces.

Artist's impression of approved plans for a three-storey seniors living development on the old Belmont Sporties Club site. Picture: supplied

Artist's impression of the amended plans, which increases the bulk of the building considerably. Picture: supplied

The extra floor will require four single lifts, rather than the two double lifts already approved as well as an alteration to four units and a reduction in balcony sizes across the complex.

“The site is uniquely positioned to support an increased building height without producing any impacts on the surrounding locality,” the amended DA states.

What has been approved …

Compared to what is being sought. The change is significant. Pictures: supplied

“This unique context is due to a combination of factors including surrounding land used, the site setbacks and building design.”

The site of the old Belmont Sporties, which closed in 2018, is surrounded by ovals on the north and east, a significant setback from Glover St to the south and a newly built one-level seniors living development by Arcare Pty Ltd to the west on the old bowling greens.

“While there is an increase to the maximum height of the building and alterations due to the increase in overall yield, the use of the development remains unchanged, and the primary changes to the built form are primarily vertical in nature, as opposed to amending the footprint or the overall design scheme,” the amended DA states.

The old Belmont Sporties Club closed down in 2018. Picture: Google Maps.

The ammendments remain before the Hunter Central Coast Planning Panel for determination.