The rundown home of the Balmain Tigers is being sold to another developer

THE rundown Balmain ­Leagues Club is being sold — again.

The derelict Balmain Tigers Leagues Club on Victoria Rd, Rozelle, is in the process of being sold to another developer. Picture: Toby Zerna

THE rundown Balmain ­Leagues Club is being sold — again.

In the latest twist in the 11-year-saga, the owners of the 7300sq m proposed Rozelle Village development on Victoria Rd are in the process of selling the site to another developer.

The sale has prompted a plea from leagues club officials, to the new owners, for the Tigers to be allowed to return to their “historic home”.

Rozelle Village director Ian Wright had wanted to redevelop the site, including two multistorey apartment towers at eight and 12 storeys, only for the proposal to be stalled in the Land and Environment Court.

The owners had appealed an earlier decision by a NSW Government’s Joint Regional Planning Panel to reject the development, which also included a supermarket and shops.

That application included 135 apartments and premises for the leagues club.

It is understood the latest sale is yet to be finalised and the exchange period is underway.

Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne said after receiving a briefing from council officers, he has written to the new purchaser, which he named as Grand Rozelle Pty Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of Heworth Investment.

Rozelle Village's artist's impression of their proposed plan for the Balmain Leagues Club site.

Mr Byrne said he has written to its director, a man called Yuhui He, also asking that his company reopen the car park behind the Club on Waterloo Street, to help local businesses and residents.

“There is an existing approval, which I achieved through Leichhardt Council, for 6 — 8 storey development of the site, which includes space for a new leagues club to be gifted to the Tigers,” Mr Byrne said in a statement.

“Previous State Government determinations as well as this year’s ruling by the Land and Environment Court make skyscrapers an impossibility on the site.

“I hope the new owner simply accepts this and works constructively to replace the current eyesore with a good development that allows the Tigers to return to Rozelle.”

Developer Ian Wright pictured inside the derelict Balmain Tigers Leagues Club. Picture: Toby Zerna

Greens State MP for Balmain Jamie Parker called on the site’s new owner to open up community consultation about its plans for the site.

“The community welcomes the change of ownership for the Rozelle Village site and hopes this will provide the opportunity for a fresh start,” Mr Parker said.

I also call on the developer to take immediate action to clean up the site and ensure it is properly maintained and kept in good condition to the benefit of local residents and visitors to the area.

No-one wants to see another lengthy and protracted application process, and the only way to prevent this is to include the local community and engage in genuine consultation before proposing any development.”

The Balmain Leagues Club at Rozelle soon after it closed.

Balmain Leagues Club said in a statement that it looks forward to working with the new owners, to return the Club to its historic home “after an extremely arduous eight year long exile”.

“Preliminary discussions with the new owners have been very cordial and positive concerning the Club’s future.

“Assurances of their support have been received.”

Mr Wright declined to comment.