Planning proposal for Cecil Ave Castle Hill skyscrapers approved for finalisation
LANDMARK skyscrapers at the heart of Castle Hill are one step closer to becoming a reality, after the Hills Shire Council approved the finalisation of a multimillion-dollar proposal. However, the plan is expected to hit a major roadblock.
LANDMARK skyscrapers at the heart of Castle Hill are one step closer to becoming a reality, after the Hills Shire Council approved the finalisation of a multimillion-dollar proposal.
The planning proposal for Cecil and Roger avenues, Castle Hill sought the development of four residential high rise towers, ranging from three to 18 storeys in height, including 460 apartments and more than 8000sq m of commercial space.
The plans, which have been in the pipework for more than three years, have outraged residents, who say the landmark development on the ridge of the Castle Hill CBD will “dramatically impact the growth of the town centre” and tower over neighbouring homes.
Residents, determined to fight the development tooth and nail, decided to bring in an expert town planner, Glen Apps, to fight the proposal on their behalf.
“The development that is anticipated is out of character for the area,” Mr Apps argued in council this week, “Another key issue is the traffic, which is yet to be resolved through the planning proposal process.”
Mr Apps said Roads and Maritime Service’s traffic generation revealed hundreds of cars would be added to “already gridlocked roads”.
“The residents have raised specific concerns about poorly functioning intersections that will also be impacted by the proposal,” he said.
Mr Apps also exhibited a Citibank published ‘blacklist’ that warns investors to “steer clear of Castle Hill”.
A representative of the developer Merick Property, Simon Parsons said it has worked with council to “ensure the development meets the standards residents of the Hills expect, for several years”.
“I recognise the concerns that have been raised in regards to the interface of low scale existing homes and the Castle Hill town Centre,” Mr Parsons said, in reference to the proximity the development will have to neighbouring properties.
“But, what you have here is a proposal for development in the Castle Hill Town Centre and that town centre is going to change because of the closeness to the Metro.”
Liberal councillor Robyn Preston said council fought to ensure there was adequate open space provided within the development, which is expected to take close to eight years to commence construction, while Labor councillor Tony Hay said “appropriate development, located close to the metro were proposals council had to support.”
Liberal councillors Samuel Uno and Rheena Jethi argued The Hills had “more than exceeded housing targets” and council were “approving high-rise towers of 18-storeys in zones where four to six storeys were permissible”.
While Labor councillor Ryan Tracey said he was also opposed to the development.
“Council has a role to play by refusing detrimental impacts on existing residents, particularly when the propoal is not in line with state and local planning guidelines.”
However, the proposal is expected to hit a major roadblock, after council staff revealed Transport for NSW and RMS “appear unwilling to work with council”, after failing to provide data from traffic and transport studies, required for the development to be finalised.
“The RMS has undertaken preliminary design work in potential intersection improvements, but have not provided this to council,” a council staff member revealed.
The planning proposal will also see monetary contributions of more than $15 million to support the upgrade of local infrastructure.
Catholic school’s expansion plan amid growing student numbers
A northwest Sydney Catholic school’s expansion plan has been revealed amid growing student numbers. Here are the plans.
New hospital in Sydney’s fast growing region to get birthing suites
Health Minister Ryan Park has backflipped, pledging to build birthing services at Western Sydney’s first new major adult hospital in decades. The announcement of full maternity services is a win for the Tele’s readers.