Revealed: Townhouse development plans for Barrenjoey, Broken Bay roads, Ettalong

Developer’s minds think alike at Ettalong where similar, albeit separate, plans have been lodged to knock down double blocks and build a total of 12 townhouses just a few hundred metres apart.

Two separate plans have been lodged to knock down existing houses on two double blocks at Ettalong to make way for six detached townhouses on each site, with floor space ratios slightly higher than what’s allowed under existing control plans.

The first has been lodged at numbers 114 and 116 Barrenjoey Rd where the developer plans to move an existing bus stop out the front to make way for a communal, central driveway, with another vehicle entry via a rear access lane.

Under the plans each of the two-storey townhouses would have three bedrooms, living areas and front courtyards with plunge pools.

The combined site has a total area of 1208sq m.

The proposed garages would provide eight off-street carparking spaces, which is one shy of the nine spaces required under the area’s zoning laws.

However the development application (DA) notes the shortfall could be adequately covered by the bus stop, which provides frequent trips to Umina and Woy Woy every half-hour and “the prevalence of unlimited off-street parking along Barrenjoey Rd”.

The proposed floor space ratio of 0.54:1 is also slightly higher than the 0.5:1 ratio permissible under the local planning controls.

The additional floor area sought equates to 46.7sq m, which equates to an increase of 7.7 per cent over what is allowed.

The existing houses at 114-116 Barrenjoey Rd, Ettalong, that would be knocked down to make way for six detached town houses. Picture: Google

However the DA states the variation is “consistent with the existing and desired future character of the locality by delivering high-quality residential development that supports additional employment and economic development” in an area well served by public transport, pedestrian and cycleway links.

“By providing for additional new smaller dwellings, the development will deliver increased social and economic benefits to the community,” the DA states.

“The proposal is also similar in height (actually superior to providing open spaces and landscaping opportunities) to other recent two storey development that has been approved in South St.”

Just 400m away another DA has been lodged for adjourning blocks at 53 Broken Bay Rd and 3 Ridge St.

Similar to the proposal at Barrenjoey Rd, the townhouses would have a main driveway at the front and a secondary vehicle access via a rear laneway.

The six two-storey townhouses would feature a mix of two and three-bedrooms with garages on a total area of 1269sq m.

Odd shaped corner block at 3 Ridge St and 53 Broken Bay Rd, which would be knocked down and turned into six detached dwellings under a proposed DA. Picture: supplied

The DA proposes a floor space ratio of 0.549:1 which also slightly exceeds the area’s existing zoning but it too argues it is overall “consistent with the desired future character” of the area and does not adversely impact the suburb’s amenity.

Both DAs remain before Central Coast Council for determination.