NSW Planning panel call for plans for seven skyscrapers in The Hills to be rejected

The seven sky-high towers planned for Norwest Business Park has been shut down by the planning panel, a move that the panel said was necessary as the towers could weaken the area’s entire strategic plan.

Artist impressions for the redevelopment in Norwest, which was to be redeveloped into Dancers Square — featuring a hotel skyscraper, retail, residential, commercial and entertainment precincts over four high-rise towers.

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Ambitious plans for a series of skyscrapers to dominate The Hills skyline have been rejected by a NSW Government Planning Panel, despite calls from the developer for a deferral to decrease building heights.

The Hills Shire Council local planning panel called for the masterplan for the seven high-rise towers, which could be as tall as 42 storeys in height, to be rejected by councillors in an upcoming determination which could result in the planning proposal being f orwarded to the NSW Planning Department for Gateway Determination.

Developers Merc Capital submitted a $500 million masterplan for hundreds of homes and commercial space in Norwest Business Park to The Hills Shire Council in March this year, revealing the blueprints for its vision for the future of the region to the Hills Shire Times.

The Towers were earmarked to replace the Rydges Hotel at 1 Columbia Ct, Norwest with four residential and commercial towers including a high-rise hotel, ranging from 24 to 28 storeys high, while also demolishing commercial buildings at 34 to 46 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest, for three 42 storey towers.

Artist impressions for the redevelopment of 34-46 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest, which is being pitched as a landmark 'central plaza' development at the heart of the business park.

Artist impressions for the redevelopment of 1 Columbia Ct, Norwest, the site of Novotel Norwest, which will be redeveloped into Dancers Square — featuring a hotel skyscraper, retail, residential, commercial and entertainment precincts over four high-rise towers.

Merc Capital Planning and Development Manager, Andrew Wilson, called for the panel to defer a decision on the proposal, following a meeting with Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne and Council planning staff.

“We are currently revising the planning proposals and making amendments including reduced building heights, floorspace, and plans to include a convention and entertainment venue at Columbia Ct, Norwest.

“These planning proposals are within the context of the plan for the future of Norwest, to elevate it from a business park to a strategic centre and increase employment and housing opportunities,” Mr Wilson said.

“We have given priority to high-quality designs and sustainability, we want to create employment at these sites.

“We also want to focus on high-quality public domain, which is important in creating pedestrian links throughout the sites and mixed-use development to activate each sites for 24-hours of the day, not just during business hours.”

Earlier this week, The Hills Shire Times revealed council planning managers raised concerns with the residential component of the proposals.

Artist impressions for the redevelopment of 1 Columbia Ct

“The scale of uplift and proposed residential land use lacks strategic merit and is inconsistent with (Norwest Business Park planning) objectives … all of which envisage a commercial only outcome on the site and promote the protection of commercial and employment lands from the encroachment of residential development,” the planning manager said.

“Notwithstanding the commercial uplift proposed, the proposal would allow for residential uses to encroach into strategically significant employment lands.

“This would potentially weaken the intended commercial-only function of the site and reduce the viability and desirability of commercial investment — It would also constrain any commercial or retail uplift in the future, beyond that currently proposed.”

However, Mr Wilson said the residential proposal, “enables us to invest in better public domain and enhances the urban environment”.

“Adding residential would attract employees and businesses,” he argued.

“There is a cultural shift in the community about rethinking the way we do business parks and mixed-use development is apart of this.

Hills Shire Planning Panel chair, Julie Walsh, said the proposals “could arguably undermine the whole strategic plan for Norwest Business Park”, allowing all landowners to submit residential developments in Norwest rather than the approved commercial vision for the region.

The proposals will continue to go before Hills Shire Councillors for determination, however, it is expected Merc Capital will revise the plans to reduce the amount of residential floor space and reduce building heights.