Ettalong Beach: Three-storey shop top housing rejected by local planning panel

A decision has been made on the shop top housing plans for the Ettalong foreshore, that objectors say is not suitable for the village lifestyle.

Shop top housing plans on the foreshore of Ettalong have been voted down.

The Central Coast Local Planning Panel has handed down its decision on the $5.4m plans for 302-306 Ocean View Dr.

The plans came to the panel due to the number of objections received and variations to local planning rules including the height.

The panel outlined its reasons for refusal including lack of compliance in areas of solar access, inconsistent floor to ceiling levels and a lack of information.

When the panel met on October 28, local resident Peter Brell said the “quaint village” feel of Ettalong was in danger if the development was approved.

The site of the proposed $5.4m modern shop top housing development.

Mr Brell said the subject site was a pharmacy and milk bar when he was growing up, with Ettalong interchanging between a popular holiday destination to seaside residential location.

“Now it’s becoming a popular holiday place again as people want to experience a little sea side town that they remember from their childhood,” he said.

“The town still retains a lot of charm of a quaint seaside town. This is in danger of being destroyed forever by overdevelopment.”

He said building heights needed to be assessed with regard to the collective impact on the area looking at character, heritage, scenic quality and public amenity.

Architect Matthew Wales spoke on behalf of the applicant saying the DA had been under assessment for over 320 days with “three separate council planners and numerous iterations to the plans to satisfy concerns council has raised”.

The development will have a mix of serviced apartments and shop top housing units.

Mr Wales said more changes to the plans were made, however were not lodged in time for the panel meeting. He said if the changes were submitted, he believed the recommendation would have been for approval.

Mr Wales said the variations to floor space ratios were “minor within the context of the overall site”.

“Similarly building height is also considered to be minor with variation of 10.8 per cent,” he said.

“We believe that the application is of extremely high quality and appropriate for the site in the context of the wider Ettalong precinct,” he said.

Council has recommended the panel refuse the DA due the building exceeding height limits.

The proposal, by KHMS Corp Pty Limited, was for the partial demolition of the existing commercial building on the corner of Ferry Rd, demolition of the existing house and construction of a three storey shop top housing development with above ground parking.

The development, known as Anna Athina By the Sea, would have included three serviced apartments, nine shop top housing units, undercroft parking for 23 vehicles, shops at ground level as well as a roof top terrace area with a pool.

The applicant said the development was compatible with the Ettalong Beach village centre and would provide a range of high quality retail and residential options as well as local employment opportunities. It also has easy access to public transport.

The DA exceeded both floor space ratios requirements along with the residential height limit.

Current site on the corner of Ferry Rd and Ocean View Drive.

However the applicant said the variations were acceptable due to the quality of the development and the opportunities it will bring to Ettalong Beach.

The proposal received 30 submissions during its public exhibition period with objectors highlighting areas of noncompliance as well as concerns around overshadowing along the foreshore.

The lack of underground parking was also a concern along with the development being excessive and not being suitable for the Ettalong village lifestyle.