Dee Why RSL: Bid for height rule change to allow 10-storey retirement village

A northern beaches’ club wants to build a 10-storey retirement village to meet a massive demand for units from downsizing seniors. See the images.

An artist's impression of the proposed extension of Dee Why RSL's Oceangrove seniors living complex on the corner of Pittwater Rd and Dee Why Pde, Dee Why. The club has applied to Northern Beaches Council to change planning rules so it can double the height of buildings currently allowed on the site. Pictured: Supplied

A bid to have planning rules altered and height limits more than doubled to allow a 10-storey over-55s apartment complex has raised the ire of northern beaches’ locals.

Dee Why RSL wants to extend its 76-unit Oceangrove retirement village by adding two new buildings to meet a massive demand from downsizing seniors.

The club lodged a Planning Proposal application with Northern Beaches Council to enable it to bulldoze a three-storey block of units and a former late night pharmacy on the corner of Pittwater Rd and Dee Why Pde, on the northern edge of the seaside suburb’s CBD.

But the council has already received more than 30 public submissions opposed to the massive extension of the seniors independent-living complex

There were also concerns that part of the Dee Why Kindergarten childcare centre is included in the new site.

An artist's impression of the proposed extension of Dee Why RSL's Oceangrove seniors living complex on Pittwater Rd, Dee Why.

As part of the proposal, which is on public exhibition, the RSL wants the Warringah Local Environmental Plan amended to increase the maximum height of buildings permitted on the site from 12m to 32m.

In her submission opposed to the application, local Glenda McIntosh wrote that it was “another example of overdevelopment in Dee Why”.

A former late night pharmacy on the corner of Pittwater Rd and Dee Why Pde, Dee Why would be demolished to make way for the seniors living extension. Picture: Manly Daily

Caroline Harmen believed that the development would increase traffic congestion and neighbours would lose their views.

“Northern beaches residents and ratepayers do not want Dee Why to become a Chatswood, with hemmed in skyscrapers that do not represent or reflect the northern beaches community.”

An artist's impression of the proposed extension (centre) of Dee Why RSL's Oceangrove seniors living complex on Pittwater Rd, Dee Why. The RSL club is on the far left. Picture: Supplied

In documents supporting the application the club’s planning consultants advised the council that there were more than 240 parties on the Oceangrove residential waiting list.

It also stated that while the land had the potential, and the zoning, to be developed for high density apartments, the club wanted to build accommodation for seniors instead.

“The club, as landowner, does not wish to develop for straight residential,” the consultant’s report said.

Residents of the existing Oceangrove seniors living complex at Dee Why. The RSL club said it wants to offer more housing options for older people. Picture: Supplied.

“The proposal addresses key (planning and housing) objectives such as creating age-friendly environments, increasing housing options for older people, and fostering inclusive community participation.”

It also pointed out that the development would be near essential services, shopping and public transport in the Dee Why Town Centre.

The club has also had talks with the childcare centre to provide an alternate location with the club’s landholdings at Dee Why.