Council calls Planning Panel over Bull ‘n’ Bush

A group of Sydney councillors have risen in bipartisan support to scold the NSW Planning Department and Joint Regional Planning Panel for supporting a controversial planning proposal to level a heritage site for hundreds of apartments.

An artist’s impression of the Bull 'n' Bush redevelopment that Hills Shire councillors are upset about.

• Why NSW Planning support the Bull ‘n’ Bush development
• Hills Shire Council stripped of planning authority over Bull’n’Bush
• Mayor questions infrastructure around Bull and Bush site plans
• Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne hits out at lack of upgrades for intersection

Hills Shire councillors have risen in bipartisan support to scold the NSW Planning Department and Joint Regional Planning Panel for supporting a controversial planning proposal to level the Bull ‘n’ Bush hotel for hundreds of apartments.

Last month, the Times revealed the residential proposal, which earmarks three residential towers ranging from eight to 15 storeys, 200 apartments, a library and community centre for the corner of Windsor and Seven Hills roads, Baulkham Hills, was unanimously supported by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel at a meeting on October 31 to proceed for public exhibition.

Artist impression of a neighbour park proposed for the Bull 'n' Bush redevelopment.

A Hills Shire Council report, which was supported to be used as a submission against the development proposal, said council’s key concerns with the proposal relate to traffic and transport infrastructure.

“The operation of the Windsor, Seven Hills and Old Northern roads intersection is a

key constraint to further development in the Baulkham Hills Town Centre,” the report said.

“Council has flagged the need for grade separation of this intersection to improve its performance and reduce traffic congestion in peak periods, however this solution has not received support from Roads and Maritime Services.

The details of he proposed development.

The Bull 'n' Bush Hotel back in the 1930s.

“In addition, council’s housing diversity provisions were not supported by the Planning Department and were required to be removed from the planning proposal.”

The report also raised concern around a lack of voluntary planning agreement for the proposed library and community space, which council claim It was “likely this space will be absorbed as residential, retail or commercial floor space, which is not an appropriate outcome”.

MORE IN DEVELOPMENT

‘REJECT IT’: MP on Baulkham Hills Development

Promise to abolish priority precinct from Labor

Liberal Councillor Samuel Uno said there were countless unresolved issues.

“Although this is a relatively significant town centre, it is not being supported by a new metro station,” Cr Uno said.

Cr Samuel Uno hit out at the State Government for supporting the planning proposal. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Wilson

Hills Shire councillor Alan Haselden said traffic issues were a major concern of the proposal.

“It is in the area of significant traffic concerns and there is no additional funding for the grading of Seven Hills or Windsor roads.

“We need to ensure any development that goes forward has the full support of the community, so I encourage the planning panel to consider the impact it will have on the community.”

Hills Shire councillor Ryan Tracey said the proposal would destroy heritage. Picture: AAP Image/Jordan Shields

MORE IN BAULKHAM HILLS

BAULKHAM HILLS ST JOSEPH’S REDEVELOPMENT APPROVED

‘CUNNING REAPPLICATION’ FOR BAULKHAM HILLS BOARDING HOUSES

WHY HILLS COUNCIL BANKS ON ORBITAL LINK TO EASE BOTTLENECKS

While Liberal councillor Alan Haselden said the major intersection at the heart of Baulkham Hills Town Centre was “already failing with the development of 300 apartments still approved to be developed”.

Labor councillor Ryan Tracey said the proposal tonight delivered “no community benefit what so ever”.

“It does not support transport, traffic, infrastructure or heritage,” he said.