Gosford quarry development: 87-89 John Whiteway Drive DA withdrawn from planning panel

It’s the $100m ‘resort style’ DA set to play a key role in Gosford’s revitalisation. In a shock move, the DA has been withdrawn from the regional planning panel.

A shock decision has put an end to a $100m state significant DA in John Whiteway Dr Gosford.

The $100m state significant development application for the old Gosford quarry has been withdrawn from the regional planning panel a week out from a decision.

The plam for 262 apartments at 87 and 89 John Whiteway Dr was pulled by the applicant at a Hunter & Central Coast Regional Planning Panel meeting on December 2.

The panel was set to hand down its decision on the development, which was set to play a key role in the revitalisation of Gosford, on Thursday.

The development, initially lodged back in 2018, proposed four buildings ranging from five to 12 storeys with 262 apartments along with a basement carpark.

Artists impression of the resort style development.

The DA has since been classed as state significant and will remain before the State Government.

Site owners Alceon, applicant JWD Developments and ADG Architects have been working with NSW Planning to deliver the modern ‘resort style’ design.

A spokesman for JWD Developments, who took over the site in 2019, told the Express “the original development application was lodged in June 2018. It has been withdrawn to allow a review of the site in current market conditions and we look forward to a successful planning outcome into the future.”

A briefing on the development was held by the regional planning panel on November 4. According to the briefing notes, ADG Architects was told that Central Coast Council intended to recommend refusal of the DA.

Aerial artists impression of the $100m DA.

This was due to “the outstanding issues, the number of attempts to resolve the issues and the length of time the application has been in assessment.”

The council has had ongoing concerns with height, visual impact and “building within the non‐buildable zone”. The proposed maximum height of the development is 45m.

The briefing notes also stated there had been five amended packages of the DA.

Earlier this year an Alceon spokesman told the Express “Alceon is very excited about delivering a world class community and contributing to the further development of Gosford and the Central Coast.”

The site was the former Gosford quarry.

“Key to the development is a new public walk-through pathway that will connect the Gosford CBD and Rumbalara Reserve with panoramic viewing platforms, overlooking the Gosford CBD and Brisbane Water,” he said.

Features of the development included a putting green, play space, swimming pool and deck, recreation spaces and rooftop areas with a spa and pool.

Construction was proposed to start this year and be completed in 2022 with around 528 jobs to be generated.