Frenchs Forest: $60m seniors living development gets go ahead after Land and Environment appeal win

The future of a massive $60m northern beaches seniors housing development –with close to 100 units – has been decided in court. See the result here.

An artist's impression of one of the units at the Jardin retirement village complex at Skyline Pl, Frenchs Forest, now under construction. Picture: Platino Properties

A contentious $60 million retirement community for over 55s on the northern beaches has been given the go-ahead by the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Northern Beaches Council and state planning officials had knocked back plans for the luxury seniors living complex at Frenchs Forests.

But the developer, Platino Properties, of the high-rise project at Skyline Pl, has been given the go-ahead by the court after it lodged an appeal.

After a conciliation conference between Platino and the council in March, the court upheld the appeal, allowing Platino to now construct two buildings — seven- and three-storeys — containing 98 apartments, just minutes from Northern Beaches Hospital.

An artist's impression of the Central Courtyard at the Jardin seniors living community at Frenchs Forest. Picture: Platino Properties

The complex will also include 10 units for disability housing to be operated by Project Independence, and 4 affordable units for seniors.

It will be the second stage of the “Jardin” retirement village. The sold-out first stage — 52 units in multistorey buildings — is now being built on an adjoining lot fronting Frenchs Forest Rd.

Stage 1 of the Jardin retirement village complex at Skyline Pl, Frenchs Forest, under construction on Monday. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The view of Stage 1 of the Jardin retirement village complex from Frenchs Forest Rd East. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

An original DA for Stage two, lodged by Platino, sought approval for 133-units as well as 232 carparking spaces on land zoned for business in the Skyline Business Park.

The council, and a number of nearby residents, had opposed the development, calling for the project to be scrapped with concerns the scale of the project meant it would become like “Dee Why, with no beach”.

The NSW Government’s State Planning Panel North ruled that the complex was too big and too close to the neighbouring Frenchs Forest Business Park.

In its decision to reject the DA, the planning panel wrote that the complex would be bordered on three sides by commercial zone office premises as well as potential general business park uses such as garden centres, self-storage facilities and warehouses.

One of the original artist's impression of the seniors living development in Skyline Pl, Frenchs Forest. Picture: Platino Properties

“The panel considered that there is a very high probability that there will be conflict at the interface between the proposed sensitive land use and surrounding existing and future land uses, particularly due to noise, vehicle movements and possible air emissions”.

But Platino argued that there was a significant local need for seniors living accommodation.

And those who bought units in Stage 1, said they would miss out on communal services such as a heated pool, gymnasium and an internal, if Stage 2 did not go ahead.

Retired GP Elaine Bridge, who has bought a unit in Stage 1, said the DA knock-back had “left a lot of people very disappointed”.

About 90 residents moving into Stage 1 could now have the benefit of a pool, gym and open piazza that were part of plans for Stage 2.

An artist's impression of the seniors living development in Skyline Pl, Frenchs Forest, showing the communal outdoor terrace. Picture: Platino Properties

“None of us are young, and we want to get the benefits out of our purchase and the benefits of the communal areas,” Dr Bridge said.

“There are a lot of people, who have been living in the community for a long time and who want to downsize.”

Diane O’Hara, the CEO of Project Independence, said the new development would give 10 people on the disability support pension a chance at independent an gaining equity in their own units.

“Platino as also offering four units to older women with little or no superannuation or savings at heavily discounted prices.”

Barry Washington, of Frenchs Forest Rd East, said they were already being heavily impacted by noise and dust from the first stage of development.

“We moved here ‘cause it was a beautiful area and no residential buildings were to be built there,” he wrote to the council.

An artist’s impression of the Jardin retirement village at Frenchs Forest. Picture: Platino Properties

“Looks like Frenchs Forest no longer has a forest and will just become Dee Why with no beach.”.

In her ruling L & E Court Commissioner Susan O’Neill wrote that the council, as the consent authority, agreed to amended DA.

Ms O’Neill found that as hospitals were permissible in B7 (business park) zones, the “land is land to which the State Environmental Planning Policy Seniors applies”.

A near empty office at the Skyline Business Park on Monday, where businesses have been moving out to make way for the $60 million Stage 2 of the Jardin retirement village complex at Skyline Pl, Frenchs Forest. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

There is only one business left in the Skyline Business Park — Jindex — an industrial valve supplier.

Platino Properties CEO, George Revay, said on Monday that he was happy with the court decision and was hoping that work on Stage 2 would begin in February next year.

“I’m happy, but so will be many older people on the northrn beaches who now have this development as an option for retirement living,” Mr Revay said. “There is a massive demand in the area for retirement facilities lik this.”