Hurdle cleared for IBM site plan

A PROPOSAL for a residential complex on the former IBM site at West Pennant Hills has moved forward, after slashing the original number of dwellings in half.

A concept image of a two-storey house as part of Mirvac's proposal for Coonara Ave, West Pennant Hills.

• Castle Hill development amended to two towers
• Council’s “history making” transitional housing plans

A PROPOSAL for a residential complex on the former IBM site at West Pennant Hills has moved forward, after slashing the original number of dwellings in half.

A planning proposal by Mirvac for a medium- to high-density development at 55 Coonara Ave with a maximum of 600 dwellings will be sent to the State Government for Gateway Determination following a 5-3 vote by The Hills Shire Council.

The revised development concept — the fourth revision since a planning proposal was first lodged in 2016 — will see about 400 apartments and 200 medium-density dwellings built on the site in buildings between two and six storeys high.

The proposed housing mix includes 20 studio apartments, 100 one-bedroom, 220 two-bedrooms and 60 three-bedroom apartments, along with 180 three- and four-bedroom homes and 20 two-bedroom homes.

The development would also include public open space, a playing field, a general purpose community facility room and car parking.

Mirvac’s plans won council support after it halved its initial concept for about 1270 dwellings in buildings up to eight storeys.

The 25.87ha site, on the eastern side of Coonara Ave, now contains seven low-rise commercial buildings and 1687 car spaces.

Cr Robyn Preston called the development “exciting” and said it was “almost like a community in itself”.

“I’ve actually never seen an offering like this,” she said.

Cr Alan Haselden said elements of the concept were “swish” in isolation but he raised concerns with the increased density and the lack of inclusion of educational facilities.