Renewed push by developers for luxury retirement village on Bayview golf course
New plans for a retirement village on Bayview golf course have been lodged, but its developers still have a battle with some residents opposed to the project.
Manly
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MODIFIED plans for a retirement village on Bayview golf course have been lodged with planning officials, sparking a fresh round in the fight to stop the proposed $84 million project.
Bayview Golf Club wants to build 85 units — in partnership with luxury retirement living developers Waterbrook — within a complex of three-storey buildings.
The club said the development was needed to keep it financially viable for the next 20 years.
But some neighbouring residents want a ban on any development going ahead on the site in Cabbage Tree Rd.
Bayview local John Peterson has lodged a petition on the change.org website, calling on people opposed to developments that may affect wildlife, including the Bayview retirement village, to sign up.
Waterbrook said the petition, which has attracted close to 77,000 signatures, was misleading, arguing that it was made up of a mixture of signatures from local people as well as from across Australia and other parts of the world regarding wildlife corridors.
Mr Peterson said the petition is part of lobbying efforts for a ban on any building that would have a detrimental effect on an important wildlife corridor.
Waterbrook managing director Kevin Ryan said the project can go ahead without any detrimental impacts on the environment. Mr Ryan said there was scope for a wildlife corridor as part of the proposed development, which is on 2ha of the club’s privately-held land.
Plans lodged with Northern Beaches Council by developer Waterbrook Bayview Pty Ltd were rejected by the independent Sydney North Planning Panel in August last year.
Waterbrook appealed against that decision in the Land and Environment Court, but the appeal was rejected by the court in March this year. Watetrbrook said the rejection was due to a technicality with the approved Site Compatibility Certificate (SCC) and not due to the merits of the project.
The planning panel is now deciding whether a new SCC, lodged last month, can be issued for the site.
“The (NSW Planning) department is currently preparing an assessment report for the Panel, which will consider council’s feedback as well as compatibility with surrounding land uses,” a Planning spokesman said.
If a new SCC is issued, a development application will then need to be lodged with the council. It will also include community consultation.
Mr Peterson said the retirement development would be built “in the middle of Pittwater’s highest priority wildlife corridor which is currently zoned open space”.
“The proposal would have a significant impact on the amenity of adjoining properties.”
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Waterbrook said the project would not adversely affect adjacent properties due to separation distances of between 60m and 100m. It said the 80-year-old golf course was not a wildlife refuge or corridor.
“The new SCC includes several modifications to the project, including a reduction in scale from 95 to 85 apartments; an increase in the separation between buildings and the lowering of the building height to three storeys,” Mr Ryan said.
“Community consultation sessions showed that 85 per cent of participants support the project, ensuring the financial viability of Bayview Golf Club at a time when golf clubs are under increasing financial pressure.”
Mr Ryan added that the proposal included upgrades to the course such as new tees and greens, concrete paths, grey water treatment facilities and drainage works.
He said Waterbrook Bayview would meet a pressing demand on the northern beaches for accommodation for over 55s and allow local retirees to remain living close to family and friends as well as near shops, transport and health services.