Chanticleer Gardens, Arcadia set to be transformed into wedding venue, despite resident pushback

The owners of a famed Sydney estate, featured on TV shows including The Bachelor, have defended plans to turn the site into a garden wedding venue after drawing an angry response from locals.

Grada Shipway, who runs Chanticleer Gardens, has responded to community pushback.

Backlash has broken out in a rural suburb in Sydney’s north after the owners of a lavish garden estate released plans to transform the site into a hosting hub for weddings.

Concerns over noise, anti-social behaviour and impacts on “quality of life” have been raised in response to plans by Chanticleer Gardens in Arcadia to use the site as a function centre for up to 28 nuptial ceremonies each year.

The 1.2ha property is known for its lush English-style gardens which have been showcased on TV shows including Better Homes and Gardens, Gardening Australia, The Bachelor and My Mum Your Dad.

Plans to Hornsby Council show the function centre would accommodate up to 70 guests at a time and 15 subcontractors to support wedding events.

Grada Shipway, who runs the property with her husband Peter, believes the proposal would generate positive social and economic benefits for the rural community.

Although the garden is only 20 years old it looks much more mature than that.

But multiple residents have written to the council calling for the project to be rejected due to concerns over the amenity of the area and the “quality of life” of residents.

A council report detailing the submissions recognised “many residents noted that if this development is approved, it would more than likely create disharmony and social unrest within the local community, resulting in many complaints to council and the police”.

A photo of the site, which is currently offered as Airbnb.

Objections have included potential disturbance of vehicular headlights into adjoining properties, noise relating to guests “clapping”, alcohol consumption and horses being disturbed by noise – resulting in potential injuries.

Traffic was another sticking point including access via narrow roads and concerns a grass car park could become waterlogged after periods of heavy rain.

“Many (residents noted) that the proposal would create an adverse economic impact on the area, directly impacting farming activities including farmers patterns, damage to crops/trees due to trespassing, impact on local equine activities associated with the rehabilitation and equine therapy of horses,” the council report added.

Ms Shipway recognised there had been significant pushback from residents about wedding events at the site but believed the proposal would have benefits for the community.

The gardens have featured on multiple TV shows.

“I’m fully aware of the neighbour complaints and fully understand them as well – especially the noise aspect of functions,” she said.

“We’ve put in a cap of 70 people and have all the noise parameters in place including high fencing to stop sound going through.

“Unfortunately the way we had to put in the development application to the council meant it was advertised as a ‘function centre’ and I think when people heard ‘functions’ they immediately though ‘party party party’.

Grada Shipway pictured at her gardens.

“Perhaps if it had been advertised as ‘garden events’ we might have had different response.

“We’re about having nice weddings in a garden setting – the whole management of it will be about people coming together on the property daytime hours with restrictions on noise so it can’t just be a wild event happening.

“There’s going to be laughing, maybe a ‘woo-hoo’ and clapping and that’ll last all of 30 seconds.”

Despite concerns by residents, Hornsby Council’s planning panel has recommended granting approval for the development application when it meets to determine the project this week.

A report to the panel states the “proposal generally complies” with the requirements of local planning laws.

A photo of the site.

The panel also noted the proposed function centre had been reduced in scale from a previous proposal in 2021 for up to 110 people guests.

“The operation of the temporary function centre would generally be consistent with the objectives of (planning laws) to enhance opportunities for supporting tourism activities that reinforce the character of the rural location,” the council report states.

Plans to the council show the proposal includes using a mix of indoor and outdoor areas such as a central garden where speaker systems and live music could be played.

If approved, the hours of operation would be 10.30am to 6pm on Monday to Saturday. Deliveries could be made from 9am to 5pm.

The site is known for its English-style gardens.

A photo of the gardens.

Ms Shipway said the approval for the development could generate an increase in tourism in the Arcadia area.

“At the moment people have to go to Bowral, the Southern Highlands or the Hunter to have the concept of a garden wedding whereas we’re much closer to Sydney,” she said.

“Being so close to the city, the area does lend itself to tourism – we could have more bed and breakfasts, cafes, Airbnbs and things like that.

“Our proposal leads the way as to what could be done properly so it’s not a grievance to the community.

“I see that as a positive.”