Potential rezoning could see Bull ‘n’ Bush hotel demolished and replaced with high-rise apartments

THE Bull ‘n’ Bush hotel could face the bulldozer under new plans for the site from owner Dyldam.

Dyldam purchased iconic Baulkham Hills pub, the Bull ‘n’ Bush hotel for $50 million.

• Bull ‘n’ Bush hotel redevelopment proposes 18 storey towers
• Dyldam purchase iconic Hills pub Bull & Bush Hotel with plans to retain the pub as part of a development proposal

THE Bull ‘n’ Bush hotel could face the bulldozer under new plans for the site from owner Dyldam.

A proposal to rezone the iconic Windsor Rd pub to allow for future high-rise development will be discussed by The Hills Shire Council on Tuesday, November 8.

The proposal highlights plans for a mixed-use apartment complex to be built.

The updated plans include 6042 sqm of commercial and retail space, including room for a hotel or pub. As well as this, 2505 sqm would be set aside for a library and community centre.

The development would include two 15-storey towers and an eight-storey tower, housing 200 units.

It’s a change from plans revealed in August, which detailed three towers to be between 18 and 20 storeys.

Previous artist impressions showing the Bull ‘n’ Bush pub still part of the development.

Previous artist impressions for the site also showed the hotel remaining in place.

The Bull ‘n’ Bush is listed as an item of environmental heritage and an examination of its history uncovered it has operated as a pub since 1810.

“The significance of the (pub) lies in the site and its continuity of use from 1810 to the present as an inn at the junction of the two major roads which opened up the Hawkesbury, the Cumberland Plain and the Hunter to European Settlement,” the council report noted.

Inside the Bull ‘n’ Bush hotel which is the third incarnation of an inn at the site.

“The evolution of a tavern or pub on this site commenced with the construction of the first hotel building was in 1810, known as the ‘The Lamb and The Lark’ that operated until 1885.

“This was demolished and a second hotel, known as the ‘Royal Hotel’, was built in 1885. In the late 1930s, after the depression, a new more fashionable building (early English architectural style) that is currently known as the ‘Bull and Bush’ Hotel was constructed.”

The developers argue the demolition of the Bull ‘n’ Bush is acceptable because the current building was damaged by fire in 1991 and is not the original.

Dyldam argues that the historical value of the Bull ‘n’ Bush is its cultural significance and not the building structure.

The front restaurant, gaming room, bar and bottle shop was also not part of the original.

The developers commissioned a heritage report through NBRS + Partners which concluded the historic significance of the Bull ‘n’ Bush was in its cultural importance as a hotel rather than its building structure.

The council is also expected to agree to operate the library and community centre.

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