Oxford Falls Valley seniors housing development: Critics target proposed $16.5m Narraweena seniors living complex
Critics have targeted plans for a $16m seniors living complex on the edge of bushland on Sydney’s northern beaches. See what it means for the proposal here.
Manly
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Authorities are pushing back against plans for a $16.5 million seniors living development on the edge of bushland on the northern beaches.
A developer wants to put up 36 units for over-55s, across six two-storey buildings — with a community centre — on the edge of Oxford Falls Valley at Narraweena.
But Northern Beaches Council has urged a local independent planning panel to knock back the project because the Willandra Rd property doesn’t meet the rules for being a “low intensity and low impact” development.
The council has also told the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel, which meets on Wednesday to determine the development application, that the 6.5ha complex would be out of character for the area.
The DA was referred to the panel because the council received 16 submissions after the plans were put on public exhibition last year.
Owner of the property, listed on DA documents as “Daedalus Management/Wei Ru Niu”, has already lodged a “deemed refusal” appeal in the Land and Environment Court.
Two existing large retirement complexes — Marston Living and Willandra Village — are nearby.
In its Development Assessment Report, the council noted that the site was currently” subject to bushfire hazard”
It said the proposal was inconsistent with parts of the Warringah Local Environmental Plan.
“The development is not considered to achieve a scale, bulk and height that is appropriate for its surroundings.
“The proposal … is not satisfactory in terms of meeting the ‘low intensity and low impact’ development characterisation.”
“There has been little or no attempt to position the buildings sensitively in relation to the site, provide a “non-geometric” layout and design that would facilitate social interaction and community spirit or would allow many of the residents to enjoy what would remain of the bushland setting,” the DSAP found.
In its submission the Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment object to the DA, stating that the complex would have adverse impacts on bushland and waterways.
“The proposal is on land that is bushfire prone and therefore unsuitable for seniors’ living,” its president Ron Patton wrote.
“The proposal for seniors living is not consistent with the desired future character for the B2 Oxford Falls Valley Locality.”
President of community environment group Garigal Landcare Conny Harris, wrote that the site was surrounded by “good quality bushland which provides valuable habitat for fauna”.
Meanwhile, local resident Susan Sorensen objected to “pristine native bushland” being removed.
“Remaining bushland on the northern beaches must be protected at all costs.”
David Palmer argued that increased run-off from the site would have a detrimental effect on nearby Wheeler Creek and, ultimately Narrabeen Lagoon.
The company designing and constructing the complex, Vigor Master described it on its website as offering “the finest retirement living products nestled between the bush and the beach. Incorporating dazzling ocean views and state of the art recreational facilities”.
The planning panel is expected to release its determination next week.
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