Cherrybrook: New details released about Landcom proposal near Metro site
There is outrage among some in the community after height limits being proposed as part of the State Government’s push for a new Cherrybrook village centre surrounding the Metro station. The development is set to include 600 new dwellings.
Hornsby
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New plans reveal the State Government’s push for a new Cherrybrook village centre surrounding the Metro station to include 600 new dwellings, with buildings up to eight storeys high.
The proposal, by Landcom — the State Government’s land and property development organisation — comes almost seven years after talks first began.
On July 24, the project was gazetted to “create a lively new centre with a mix of homes, shops, services and community spaces around Cherrybrook Station”.
But the multimillion proposal has been met with fire by the council and residents.
PROPOSAL DETAILS
Landcom is in the process of preparing a rezoning application on behalf of Sydney Metro to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, which is to be submitted later this year.
According to Landcom’s website the proposal seeks to change the zoning from low density to mixed by amending “the Hornsby Local Environmental Plan 2013 and Hornsby Development Control Plan 2013, including heights, open space provision and setbacks”.
It is set “to meet the needs of people with changing lifestyles and different income levels” and proposes “high quality” recreation spaces and new pedestrian and cycle paths, Landcom states.
It comes after the land at Cherrybrook Station was nominated by the Planning MinisterRob Stokes as a State Significant Precinct in 2019.
A 3.5ha area to the east of the station would be the focus of the proposed rezoning.
Landcom confirmed it is carrying out the first stage of community consultation by handing out flyers with a public survey now available online.
COMMUNITY SAY NO
Hornsby councillor Vince Del Gallego wrote a newsletter outlining his concerns, stating it would bring “1380 additional people crowded into 3.5 hectares of government land” and was an example of “massive overdevelopment”.
“The 2013 Cherrybrook Station Structure Plan limits building height to six storeys, yet Landcom pushed for eight storeys,” Cr Del Gallego wrote.
“Our leafy and serene suburbs, beautiful landscapes with bountiful blue skylines will be turned into concrete jungles, over populated, congested roads, overcrowded schools and playing fields, stressed infrastructure and amenities.
“It sets a dangerous precedent, forcing some existing residents to sell their homes for fear of being blocked out by high rise buildings on government land and eventually, the wider precinct.”
He said there needed be infrastructure to support it.
Further, he wrote that Landcom claimed it had consulted with the council on the proposal for eight storey high buildings, but the council has set the record straight.
“Concern has been raised about a brochure by Landcom that implies building heights of eight storeys are planned for the Cherrybrook precinct,” a Hornsby Shire Council spokesman said.
“It incorrectly gives the impression that this is in response to “feedback from Hornsby Shire Council and the community.
“Council was not consulted about the brochure and has made it clear that any proposal should be consistent with the State Government’s Cherrybrook Structure Plan 2013, which notes building heights of 3-6 storeys.”
Resident Jacqui Goddard said her property is located about 100m from the site and has concerns about overshadowing, privacy, parking, and pressure on infrastructure.
“They were initially talking about three to six storeys, now it’s gone up to eight storeys,” Ms Goddard said.
“Personally, I think 600 new dwellings is a huge amount given our small suburban roads.
“Are they going to say we don’t need more parking because it’s next to the metro? One thing COVID-19 has showed us is that public transport is not always an option.”
Cherrybrook Residents Association Incorporated treasurer Charles Adderley said they had received a large number of concerns regarding the proposal.
“I was not surprised but extremely disappointed. There’s only so much you can put on 3.5 hectares. They’re proposing to put eight storeys up well above the trees,” Mr Adderley said.
“How about overshadowing, the lack of privacy, congestion, where are the kids going to go to school?”
He added the survey seemed “heavily biased in favour of a preferred outcome”.
LANDCOM RESPOND
Landcom has responded to community backlash with a spokesman stating it is committed to “transparent” consultation with the Cherrybrook community and has “openly included reference to current considerations, which include potential building heights of around eight storeys”.
“This consultation will form a critical part of our designs for the future of this precinct.
It is Landcom’s intention to align as closely as possible to existing strategic planning documents including the 2013 Cherrybrook Structure Plan,” a Landcom spokesman said.
“Our considerations, including building heights, are preliminary and will be informed by feedback from community consultation and technical studies including consideration of housing needs, visual impacts, social infrastructure needs, traffic impacts and the associated funding strategy.
“Landcom is committed to ensuring the best outcomes for the site, including open space provision, resident amenity, and visual impacts on the surrounding area.”