Gladys Ave, Frenchs Forest: Court rejects ‘excessively large’ townhouse redevelopment on site of four homes
A court has kiboshed a developer’s plans to build 30 new townhouses on the northern beaches, after locals expressed fears the proposal would “forever destroy the character of the area”.
Manly
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The Land and Environment Court has knocked back a $16m bid to build 30 new townhouses on the site of four existing homes on the northern beaches.
Developers wanted to put up the three-storey residences — one of the first big ticket residential redevelopments in the future Frenchs Forest Town Centre. — in Gladys Ave.
The developer, Australian United Investment Pty Ltd director Mohammad Isa Mohsini, appealed to the court after the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel rejected the development application in September last year.
In its decision, the panel found the “footprint of the property was excessively large”, even though it’s in an area zoned medium density residential, and that it would have a negative impact on existing and future adjoining properties.
It also had concerns that 39 trees, in an area renowned for its tree canopy, were to be cut down.
Development application documents show that the U-shaped complex, which takes in property numbers 1, 5, 5a and 7 Gladys Ave, wraps around 3 Gladys Ave, which is not owned by the developer.
The panel’s ruling followed concerned locals making multiple submissions to the Northern Beaches Council about issues including increased traffic, a reduction in street parking, pedestrian safety, tree removal, and the negative impact on local flora and fauna.
Nicholle Lacey believed the proposed development would “forever destroy the character of the area”.
“(It would) set a standard for more developers to exploit and destroy close-knit communities,” she submitted.
But the plan had some supporters among locals.
Jackson Whitehair submitted that the northern beaches needed greater housing density.
“The increase in housing density this development would provide would improve the availability of smaller dwellings closer to an affordable price for younger and lower income families,” he said.
Land and Environment Court Commissioner Timothy Horton rejected the developer’s appeal.
The developer had tried to produce amended architectural, stormwater and landscaping plans, but the court declined to grant leave to “rely upon the amended architectural plans that would have the effect of further amending the development application”.
Commissioner Horton noted that the council argued that the footprint of the proposed development was “excessive, resulting in adverse impacts for amenity of future residents of the proposed development, of neighbouring properties, on the natural environment, and is inconsistent with the desired future character of the locality”.
Frenchs Forest local Gopala Maurer a spokeswoman for people affected by redevelopment, welcomed the court’s decision.
“I think it’s really important to keep the tree canopy in the street,” Ms Maurer said.
“There is wildlife, rainbow lorikeets, king parrots and an owl.
“And they should amalgamate that block, with number 3, and make sure there is enough parking for the site.”
Attempts have been made to contact the developer.
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