West Gosford Shopping Centre: Planning Panel approves $2.2m upgrade

It’s been an untouched eyesore for decades and now plans to breathe life into West Gosford Shopping Centre have been approved. The first step is to get rid of the Return and Earn for a popular fast food outlet.

A major revamp of West Gosford Shopping Centre has been approved.

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The revamp of the West Gosford Shopping Centre has been approved, with the Return and Earn set to go to make way for Hungry Jacks.

The Central Coast Local Planning Panel has approved the $2.2m redevelopment which will see the entire site upgraded to include a new facade for Coles, along with a childcare centre, new mall, outdoor area and office spaces.

Mintus Properties Pty Ltd has been given the green light after buying the run down property in June 2019.

Images of the upgrade to West Gosford Shopping Complex

A new forecourt and Coles entrance is planned.

The development will be split into stages with stage one including removal of the Return and Earn and construction of Hungry Jacks, along with Hungry Jacks carparking and an acoustic fence along with landscaping between the fast food restaurant and neighbouring properties.

Stage two includes demolition of the tavern to make way for 24 carparking spaces and three

motorbike spaces, parents room upgrade, along with converting office space into the 121 place childcare centre.

Stage three transforms the shopping complex, with a new facade, ply area and forecourt refurbishment, new mall and shopfront to Coles.

Images of proposed $2.2m upgrade to West Gosford Shopping Complex

The carpark will also be upgraded and include shade sails.

The development plans attracted many objections, particularly relating to the 24 hour Hungry Jacks and the need for another fast food outlet in the area.

Local residents, represented by Colin Douglas at the panel meeting, made it clear they are not interested in a 24 hour fast food outlet due to the food being unhealthy, a 24-hour outlet attracting anti-social behaviour and inappropriate lighting.

The applicant’s town planner Jonathon Wood said the fast food outlet had a plan of management to address issues including CCTV cameras, lighting and compulsory panic alarms.

The shops have been run down for years with many businesses vacating in 2017

The Hungry Jacks located 1km down the road in West Gosford would relocate to the new premises.

Mintus Properties Pty Ltd, a privately owned Parramatta developer, bought the site for $23 million from ISPT and Coles with a promise to “redevelop and reinvigorate the precinct”.

The enormous 17,559 sqm site has been semi-vacant for years, with several shops closing in 2017.