Cherrybrook’s future to be redrawn after Council rejects masterplan
THE masterplan for the Cherrybrook Village precinct, developed by Toplace, has been scrapped by The Hills Shire Council.
Hills Shire
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THE masterplan for the Cherrybrook Village precinct, developed by Toplace, has been scrapped by The Hills Shire Council.
On Tuesday night Labor councillors Raymond Harty, Tony Hay and Ryan Tracey called for an alternative masterplan to be developed — winning their case 12 councillors to one.
“The previous masterplan would have only increased congestion on local roads,” Cr Hay told the Times.
“These issues would need to be addressed and modelled in the new masterplan to provide a solution.”
Toplace will now have to go back to the drawing board and, with council guidance, produce a new masterplan which addresses concerns surrounding the residential development on Castle Hill Rd.
“We want to provide a master planned outcome with livability and access to Cherrybrook station,” Cr Hay said.
“We have a large area that can be masterplanned, but to do that we need to plan for the next 40 years, which means built form and densities will be larger than expected in today’s current development plans.
“We aren’t just planning for today — we need to plan for the needs of the future.”
Councillors raised concerns about Toplace’s proposed floor space ratios and sprawl in the previous masterplan for the Cherrybrook Village which will be close to the Cherrybrook Metro station.
Cr Harty described the masterplan as “mediocre development”, while Cr Peter Gangemi said he was willing to give Toplace one final chance to “come to the table”.
But Cr Michael Thomas said he opposed the decision because he was not confident in Toplace’s promise to change the plans.
“I oppose this because of the bulk and scale and the fact that applicant believes the current proposal is not high density,” Cr Thomas said.
“Reassessing this DA time and time again is all on the ratepayers’ dime, I am not going to hit our ratepayers to cover the cost of reassessing this development application.”
Toplace development manager David Krepphighlighted benefits including village architecture and open space in an attempt to keep the development proposal alive.
“We are here tonight hoping that all of your voting power is in support to keep this plan alive,” he said.
“This will be our only chance to masterplan a community in Cherrybrook.”
The current planning proposal for Cherrybrook Village sought the redevelopment of the area to accommodate about 2900 dwellings, while Toplace’s broader masterplan included the possibility of up to 3800 dwellings.
Community benefits of the proposal by Toplace included an underground pedestrian station link, four open space plazas, the reuse of Dunrath House for a community building, as well as a sports and leisure centre, childcare centre and residential facilities.