Frenchs Forest town centre rezoning finally gets the go-ahead by NSW Government.

Long delayed plans for a new town centre on the northern beaches, including 2000 new homes and bulldozing a high school, have been given the nod by the NSW Government.

A plan to transform the centre of Frenchs Forest with rezoning that allows for apartment blocks up to 12 storeys high has been given the tick of approval by the State Government.

The long awaited “Frenchs Forest Place Strategy 2041”, which includes 2000 new homes and a potential 2000 new jobs, has been finalised, NSW planning officials confirmed on Thursday.

It is the first phase of a three-stage redevelopment — designed to incorporate the Northern Beaches Hospital precinct into the suburb — to be rolled out gradually over the next 20 years.

An artist impression of The Boulevard which will be part of the new Frenchs Forest town centre. Picture: NSW Government.

The government said the changes at Frenchs Forest were needed to support a predicted population growth of 39,000 new residents — about 12,500 dwellings — on the northern beaches by 2036.

As part of phase one there will be 1000 new medium and high density dwellings in the new town centre — based around the site of the current The Forest High School — and another 1000 homes in nearby residential areas.

The strategy also confirms that the high school will be demolished and rebuilt at Allambie Heights. The first 2000 homes will be fast tracked after the high school has been relocated.

There is also provision for aged care dwellings as well as 250 affordable homes for key workers such as nurses and paramedics.

An artist impression of the new piazza and village green which will be part of the new Frenchs Forest town centre. Picture: NSW Government.

About 1.5 hectares of new public open space, including a 1665 sqm plaza, will be created and Northern Beaches Council will receive $6.16m from the government to upgrade three local parks – Brick Pit, Akora and Rabbett reserves.

Developers will be levied as part of Special Infrastructure Contribution, to help provide up to $37.3 million to pay for new infrastructure that could include shared cycle paths to Manly Dam; a bus interchange across Warringah Rd and; a rapid bus service between Dee Why and Chatswood.

Residents and developers had been waiting on the Department of Planning to release the final draft plan for the first stage of the town centre since March 2018.

The first draft was exhibited in 2016 after authorities first mooted the idea in 2010.

Finalising the plan means that new planning controls for the precinct will come into effect in June 2022.

An artist’s impression of how the proposed new Frenchs Forest town centre will link up with Northern Beaches Hospital. Picture: NSW Government.

The council will be to finalise its Development Control Plan for the precinct and to exhibit and finalise a local contributions plan before new planning controls are introduced.

Once the new planning controls begin, the council will assess development applications.

Council CEO Ray Brownlee said locals now had certainty on the planning controls in and around the new precinct and how their properties may be affected.

“We are especially pleased the government has agreed to dedicate the public open space to council at no cost, valued at approximately $100 million,” Mr Brownlee said.

“We are excited about supporting the NSW government to deliver this new precinct which will provide a new community hub for our residents.”

Councillor Michael Regan, who is expected to voted back in as mayor next week, said the increased housing density in and around the town centre would “protect surrounding areas from overdevelopment”.

“I’ve been negotiating with state governments since 2009,” Mr Regan who represents Frenchs Forest Ward on the council, said.

“We’ve go the open space commitments, which is huge.

“And we’ve got good affordable housing figures, which can’t be underestimated, as well as a brand new school.”