Community opposes $3.3m development proposal in the heart of Freshwater

It’s the last day for public submissions as Freshwater residents oppose a mixed commercial and residential development proposed for the beachside town.

Drawings of a $3.3m development proposed in the heart of Freshwater, which has been opposed by the community. Picture: Northern Beaches Council website

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A family proposing to build a $3.3m shop top housing complex in the heart of Freshwater have hopes it will revitalise the area, but it has been met with criticism.

Plans for 50 Lawrence St include bulldozing the existing two-storey brick commercial building and replacing it with a three to four-storey retail and residential premises.

The project is being led by the Robinson family who are long time owners of the property with a history in Freshwater.

Drawing of proposed development at 50 Lawrence St Freshwater. Picture: Northern Beaches Council website

Documents on Northern Beaches Council’s website reveal plans for two retail shops, eleven residential units and a basement carpark with 19 car spaces across two-levels as well as a loading bay.

The development will include a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments and each dwelling will have a balcony.

It is located at the west end of Freshwater Local Centre which is made up of a strip of shops. The proposed building will have three frontages on Lawrence St, Oliver St and Dowling St.

Aerial view of property subject to a development application at 50 Lawrence St Freshwater. Picture: Northern Beaches Council website

A report about the proposal which was made on behalf of the owners states the building will be “visually stimulating” while providing “diversity in housing choice” and ensuring the shops on Lawrence remain “activated”.

Further, it states there will be “no unacceptable impact on the amenity of surrounding developments” and responds to “development anticipated within The Freshwater Village precinct which is currently undergoing significant regeneration”.

Plans of Freshwater development proposal which would include a mixed retail and residential premises. Picture: Northern Beaches Council website

However, the report also notes the site has a maximum building height limit of 11 metres but the proposed development has a height of 11.9 metres, which means a noncompliance of 900mm.

It’s also noted in documents the third level has a setback 4.9 metres from the Lawrence Street frontage, therefore it has a 25mm variation to setback controls.

Existing building at 50 Lawrence St Freshwater, subject to a development application.

Freshwater resident Nina Gerace opposed the plans.

“My major concern is traffic congestion in the area and a move away from its small beach coastal charm,” Ms Gerace said.

“It feels as though we’ve already had so many developments through there and it’s having an impact on the flow of traffic. It just seems like they’ve underestimated how small that street is.”

Long time Freshwater local Karen Conlon said there was too much “overdevelopment” in the area.

Existing site at 50 Lawrence St Freshwater, on corner of Oliver St which is subject to a development application.

“The height and bulk just isn’t in keeping with Freshwater, we don’t need commercial shops because we can’t even fill the ones we’ve got.

“It has been quite distressing for a lot of us, I’ve been speaking to my neighbours and we’re concerned equally. We hope the council takes notice of the concerns we have.

“It’s heartbreaking, I can’t believe how much our centre has changed. We had a beautiful mix of shops here but they’ve gone.”

Brett Curtis McPherson-Smith said the height and bulk was inappropriate.

“I’m a little bit stunned by the development, it’s going to be enormous. The regulations state it can only be three storeys but this one is actually four storeys so it’s already one storey too high.

The Robinson family who own 50 Lawrence St Freshwater said they were disappointed by some of the objections. Picture: supplied

“It’s just a sensitive spot visually, it’s the gateway to Freshwater Village and it’s going to set a bad precedent for other development. We don’t want Freshwater Village to turn into Dee Why. “It will be an abomination, you’ll come over the hill see this big, ugly thing. It will cast an 18m shadow across our property.”

The property is owned by the Robinson family who have owned the site since the 80s.

Austin Robinson who owns it with his two sisters Marcia Ferris and Penny Brierley said he was disappointed at some of the responses.

“We are saddened by the objections. We’re trying to leave it as a legacy to our parents who started the business so many years ago,” Mr Robinson said.

“We told the architects to keep it low key and to give it a beachy feel to fit in with Freshwater Village atmosphere.”

Public submissions for close today.