79-bed nursing home, 80 villas proposed for Glenhaven seniors living

A $98 MILLION seniors complex at Glenhaven that would include 80 homes and 79-bed care facility has raised infrastructure concerns, drawing the criticism of Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Glenhaven seniors independent living and nursing home development.

A $98 MILLION plan for a seniors housing metropolis at Glenhaven has raised concerns around infrastructure on New Line Rd.

The development application, which was submitted by Anglicare and has yet to be assessed by the Sydney North Planning Panel, includes plans for a 79-bed residential care facility and 80 single-storey self-contained homes comprising two or three bedrooms.

The application said the rooms provided a higher standard of accommodation and a larger room for residents wanting more space.

The two-bedroom units would provide an option for couples who need higher levels of care to live in the same room and still share daily life activities, it said.

Anglicare justified the development with the expectation that the South Dural Planning Proposal would result in more urban development across Glenhaven.

Anglicare said the proposal would have positive social and economic effects, including seniors housing and employment opportunities in a growing urban area.

Eighty homes are also proposed for the development.

But Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock said the proposal revealed the land had already been rezoned for seniors living development.

“In my view, the scale of the development is excessive for this rural area,” he said.

Cr Ruddock highlighted concerns around New Line Rd, which would take the brunt of the traffic into the complex at Old Northern Rd.

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock is calling for the NSW Government to get their head out of the sand and widen New Line Rd.

He urged the State Government to prioritise the upgrade of the arterial road.

“Traffic and congestion issues around New Line Rd have not been addressed, only when that happens should we consider large-scale development,” he said.

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Anglicare property development manager David Edbrooke said concerns and needs of the community were part of the development process.

“It has always been Anglicare’s vision to create a village in Glenhaven where our residents can age in peace,” Mr Edbrooke said.

“The expansion of the existing site has been in the pipeline since the land was purchased by Anglicare and design development commenced in 2015.

“The size of the development has been designed to meet the growing needs of the ageing population.”