Glenhaven Mosque: NSW Planning Panel decision
A NSW Planning Panel has made its final decision on a controversial development application for a 250-person mosque at Glenhaven.
Hills Shire
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- August 23: Panel defers decision of Glenhaven Mosque
- Glenhaven Mosque: NSW Planning Department delay decision
- Joint Regional Planning Panel defers decision on Glenhaven Mosque
- Hills Shire Council raise multiple objections to Glenhaven mosque
- Glenhaven Mosque: 1000 submissions against development
- Council, community group slams DA before JRPP meeting
A controversial development application for a 250-person mosque to be built in the rural suburb of Glenhaven has been refused by a NSW Planning Panel.
More than 16 months after 1 Larapinta Pl, Glenhaven, became the subject of a development application by the Hills District Muslim Society for a massive place of worship, the Central City Planning Panel met for a second time on August 23, in front of close to 800 Glenhaven residents and HDMS members, to determine whether or not the proposal should be approved — deferring the result once again.
However, following six days of deliberation by panel chair Mary-Lynne Taylor and expert panelists, a unanimous decision to reject the $7.5 million proposal was revealed by the independent decision makers on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Taylor said the panel believed the patronage at the proposed mosque will be “greater than forecast because of the internal area being substantially larger than is needed”.
“The panel believes there is potential for impacts to be greater than stated by the application,” she said.
Ms Taylor also raised concerns around building heights, intensity and adverse impact noise, traffic and parking would have on the community as well as the inconsistent nature the development had for the rural transitional zoning.
“The subject site is not suitable for the proposed development,” she said.
“it is located in a cul-de-sac in a quiet rural residential area.
“The road access to the subject site is unsatisfactory.”
The panel also revealed it was convinced that community concerns, including traffic and parking, noise complaints, lighting and the visual impact of the development, were not “adequately addressed” by the developer.
The proposal included two expansive prayer hall and a series of classrooms as part of the revised application.
The Hills District Muslim Society purchased the site at 1 Larapinta Pl, Glenhaven, following a lengthy fundrasing campaign securing more than $4 million for the property, sparking outrage from The Hills Shire Council and community association: Friends of Glenhaven.
More than 1000 submissions were issued against the development application to the Hills Shire Council, which resulted in council officers recommending the rejection of the proposal through a lengthy list of scathing objections.
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said she commended the panel for their decision.
“It’s a good outcome for Glenhaven and a fantastic outcome for those located on Larapinta Pl,” she said.
“Council understands the Hills District Muslim Society needs a place of worship in the Hills, however development of this scale and intensity is not in character with our rural regions where the infrastructure including our local roads cannot cope.”
Cr Byrne said the protection of the shire’s rural fringe from urban sprawl was vital.
“council would like to see this type of development located in the urbanised areas of the Hills Shire – where there is adequate pedestrian access, public transport, roads and a sewer network,” she said.
“We would also like to see the proposal in a location where it does not have adverse effects on the neighbouring properties including Larapinta Place which is a quiet, rural-residential cul-de-sac. “
Hills Shire north ward councillor, Brooke Collins, said council had thoroughly assessed the proposal, conducted a peer review and determined the proposal should be rejected.
“It’s just too intense for the character, environment, roads and services like water and sewer —the application fails on many fronts,” he said.
“The amended application attracted 1233 objections and 401 submissions in support.
“As you know the application states a maximum of 250 people can attend a service at any one time, well clearly based on the number of objectors alone it fails. In fact, 401 individual objectors and most, if not all, would be potential worshippers.”
Cr Collins said the proposal “simply doesn’t add up” due to the demand for places of worship and the restrictions of patrons for the site.
“I encourage HDMS to work with council to find a location that is fit for purpose and build a mosque that has the potential to hold over 1000 worshippers from day one,” he said. “While having the capacity to grow as their member base grows.”
A Friends of Glenhaven spokesman said the group agreed with the position that The Hills Shire Council and Joint Regional Planning Panel have taken on this development.
“The panel has requested that The Hills Shire Council assist the Applicant in finding a suitable location to establish their facility in the Hills Shire,” he said. “We hope that the Applicant takes up this offer rather than spending more donated monies in pursuing this further in the NSW Land & Environment Court.”
On August 23, Hills Shire Council Planning Manager Cameron McKenzie said the development application was assessed on planning merit, while also assessing the impact of traffic and parking.
“We have carefully considered all information by the applicant and recognise the need for a facility for a place of worship, but the subject site is not a suitable location for this place of worship,” he said.
“It clearly has an intensity that would have significant amenity impact.
“The building is able to accommodate a significantly higher number than the 250-person limit proposed in the development application.
“Based on a Building Code of Australia rate for churches the prayer halls alone could accommodate 495 persons.”
Earlier this month, a council planning manager said the Hills District Muslim Society’s development application failed to comply with a series of regulations including excessive site coverage, boundary setbacks, the disposal of waste water, excavation, landscape screening, acoustic and noise impacts, a lack of parking spaces and a lack of information provided as part of the development application.
HDMS was contacted for comment.