Bardo Rd, Newport: Residents fight back against ‘unacceptable’ $4.7m senior housing plans
$4.7m plans for a senior housing development on a suburban street have been met with community backlash amid growing concerns. See what’s planned here.
Manly
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Neighbours are pleading with Northern Beaches Council to scrap plans to construct a senior housing development opposite a childcare centre over concerns of safety, noise and worsened traffic conditions.
36 Bardo Rd, Newport is the site proposed $4.7m development which earmarks six independent living units with basement parking, including with two parking spaces per dwelling, replacing the existing single level brick dwelling on the site.
Plans show that each of the six units will comprise of three bedrooms, including a ‘flexible’ room that can be adapted into a study or rumpus room, a master bedroom with walk-in robe and ensuite, and each dwelling containing a large open plan kitchen, living and dining area that opens onto a paved terrace.
The development falls under the NSW Government’s State Environmental Planning Policy, or SEPP 5, which aims to “support the supply of housing for older people and people with a disability”, but local residents are labelling the endeavour an “unwelcome and inappropriate imposition” on the community.
Since plans were lodged on January 30, 2023, nine residents have submitted oppositions to the development, noting its inappropriate location opposite Bardo Road Kindergarten and the additional effect of various other developments in the street, impacting traffic, footpaths and children’s safety.
In one submission to council, a local resident noted that residents are already heavily impacted by nearby developments on the street, with workers from 54 Bardo Rd, Newport seemingly leaving out traffic cones on the street to reserve spots for construction vehicles.
“Bardo Road is a narrow road that is already seriously congested … reduced to one car at a time, with vehicles having to pull into the side to allow another vehicle to pass – indicating that the infrastructure is already way beyond acceptable levels.” the resident wrote.
“Allowing for a similar area needed for trucks to enter and exit the site and the fact that it is opposite a kindy where parents are dropping off and picking up children, would not only make this totally unworkable to traffic going up and down Bardo Road, but highly dangerous to anyone dropping off or picking up in the area.
“We believe that this development should be rejected by the Council, not only because of the issues outlined above but because they have a responsibility to ensure that they maintain a safe and secure environment for all residents. To date, this plea has largely been ignored.”
Development plans show proposed construction hours of 6:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Saturday, with the overall construction expected to take 50 weeks before completion.
Another local resident has argued that the plans for the senior housing facility at 36 Bardo Road “simply cannot be entertained a moment longer”, calling the proposed development “an example of overdevelopment and greed”.
“We all know this works period will blow out if allowed to proceed – the reality for so many developments already delayed and over due date in our area.” the resident stated in a submission to council.
“It is simply unacceptable to have works starting at 6am and operating all the way through to 5pm, 6 days a week for at least 52 weeks straight.
“This is a quiet and peaceful street, not a developing metropolis.”
A similar application for a senior housing development at 34 and 36 Bardo Rd, Newport seeking approval for 12 self-contained dwellings was initially rejected by Northern Beaches Council in 2020 due to concerns of the development’s character, design, impact on neighbourhood streetscape, visual privacy, accessibility and waste management.
Despite council stating the proposed development “will result in unacceptable impacts on the natural environment (wildlife corridors) of the Newport Locality”, an appeal was upheld and granted consent by the Land and Environment Court of NSW in September 2021.
A planner from the project said the new senior housing units are “compatible with the surrounding area in terms of bulk, height, scale and character”.
“The large setback afforded to the street frontage ensures the proposed seniors housing development does not appear dominant in the streetscape and is ensconced within a landscaped setting.” the planner said.
“The introduction of six seniors housing units in the locality will not create a dominant social type, but rather ensure a diverse range of people are able to reside within the locality in dwellings which are adaptable and accessible in nature.
“The proposed development is considered to be in the public interest, promoting provision of housing which is accessible and designed to be adaptable to meet the diverse needs of seniors, whilst making efficient use of existing infrastructure and services.”
Plans for the $4,771,508 development are currently being assessed by Northern Beaches Council.
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