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Jean Nassif: Toplace reject Hills Shire Council Castle Hill decision

Defiant property developer Toplace is looking to the NSW Government for support after a Sydney council rejected its plans

Artist impressions of the Skyview residential development by Toplace.
Artist impressions of the Skyview residential development by Toplace.

Toplace developer Jean Nassif is attempting to bypass The Hills Shire Council’s rulings once again - calling on the NSW Government to approve a rezoning review on plans to convert homes into services apartments in a series of Castle Hill high-rise towers currently under construction.

Nassif’s Toplace, which has revived plans for 46 high-rise towers for Castle Hill Rd, Cherrybrook, has also submitted revised plans to include hundreds of serviced apartments among residential apartments at 51-55 Old Castle Hill Rd, Castle Hill in June.

However, following feedback from council planning representatives, councillors rejected the proposal raising concerns about the impact serviced apartments would have on the Castle Hill housing supply.

The view from Skyview Castle Hill.
The view from Skyview Castle Hill.

The Hills Shire Council objected to the proposal, agreeing that it was “inconsistent with the strategic framework” of Castle Hill.

“The planning proposal has not demonstrated that there is sufficient market demand for additional land for serviced apartments,” a council decision found.

“Or an inability for current or future demand to be serviced on land within the centre which is already identified and zoned to permit serviced apartments.”

Toplace developer Jean Nassif.
Toplace developer Jean Nassif.

But Toplace has continued to pursue the vision for serviced apartments in the Castle Hill CBD, calling on NSW Planning to support the plan.

“This planning proposal seeks to provide additional accommodation in the form of serviced apartments by the conversion of residential apartments to serviced apartments,” a Toplace planner said.

Skyview - 51 Old Castle Hill Rd, Castle Hill.
Skyview - 51 Old Castle Hill Rd, Castle Hill.

“This change of use will not undermine council’s vision, as the site will still provide a greater number of residential units.”

Under the revised planning proposal a total of 213 dwellings would be converted to serviced apartments.

Toplace’s Skyview development will have a total of 791 dwellings.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/hills-shire-times/jean-nassifs-toplace-bypass-the-hills-shire-council-again-with-castle-hill-serviced-apartments/news-story/ee18789e92f54b30165e5b066dd61b7c