Platino Properties proposes $60m unit block for seniors and disabled in Frenchs Forest Business Park

A 133-unit development for up to 350 seniors could spell the end of Frenchs Forest’s unique charm, say residents. But the developer argues demand is skyhigh.

A new $60m high-rise development proposed for Frenchs Forest will be the start of the suburb’s transformation into the next Chatswood or “Dee Why with no beach”, say residents.

The development application by Platino Properties for seniors’ living at 5 Skyline Place includes several blocks, including a 12-storey building.

The proposal is for 133-units, including studios, one, two and three-beds, as well as 232 carparking spaces.

The application is on land currently zoned for business in Frenchs Forest Business Park.

An artist impression of the $60m 133-unit development for seniors at 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest. Picture: Supplied.

Of the 133 units, 12 will be assigned as affordable housing for seniors and 10 will be assigned for disability housing.

A further 941 sqm is designated for commercial and communal space, including a pool, gym and landscaped gardens.

A lot next to the development was approved by the Sydney North Planning Panel in 2019, despite opposition from Northern Beaches Council.

That development again by Platino Properties is currently under construction and is for a $34.2 million seniors’ living block, with 55 units, reduced down from an original proposal of 78.

The yellow buildings show the proposed $60m 133-unit development for seniors at 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest. The red buildings are for further senior living accommodation already approved. Picture: Supplied.

The nine-storey proposal was also eventually reduced to six storeys.

Simon Militano, development director of the two sites, said demand for this type of accommodation was huge, the first phase had nearly sold out and they had a database of 500 people who had registered an interest.

“The fact is people are having to move out of Frenchs Forest and the northern beaches because there is an undersupply,” he said. “There’s a massive need.”

However, despite the demand, Northern Beaches Council’s strategic planning team assessment found that the current proposal does not fit in with future plans for a proposed new Frenchs Forest town centre and “will further compromise the existing strategic advantage of the business park and the future capacity of surrounding businesses to respond to economic opportunities”.

Mr Militano said residents had been waiting a long time for the Frenchs Forest two centre plan, but so far there was nothing. He also said the site would increase employment by 400 per cent on what was currently there.

A map of where the proposed $60m development at 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest, will be. Picture: Supplied.

A number of submissions of support have come in, including from Nathalie Maconachie from the ACT, who wrote that the development included a new and unique model of homeownership for those with intellectual disabilities.

But some residents, sick at being at the centre of constant building work over the past few years including the Northern Beaches Hospital and associated roadworks, have submitted their concerns over the proposed additional development too.

Barry Washington, of Frenchs Forest Rd East, said they were already being heavily impacted by noise and dust from the first seniors’ development that has already been approved.

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

“Now they have cut down all the trees so there is no longer any screening.

“If this goes ahead, when will it ever stop? Looks like Frenchs Forest no longer has a forest and will just become Dee Why with no beach.”

What Frenchs Forest could look like if the $60m 133-unit development for seniors at 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest, is approved. The proposed site is coloured yellow. The red buildings are for more units for seniors already approved. Picture: Supplied.

Another concerned resident voiced fears of being overlooked.

Alysha Abbott of Bimbadeen Crescent, said “the maximum height of a building in this area is three storeys high, yet this development proposal is quadruple that size”.

“With a 12 storey high complex, 133 apartments and based on the number of bedrooms an assumed over 350 new residents in such a small space is no way considered low density,” she wrote.

“The long standing residents of Frenchs Forest have been impacted by development for too long.

A swimming pool is included in plans for a $60m 133-unit development for seniors at 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest. Picture: Supplied.

“Please reject this development proposal and allow Frenchs Forest East to resemble the peace and quiet that once drew people to our suburb.”

Another resident wrote to the Manly Daily fearing the development will set a precedent for Frenchs Forest, and that it will lead to the suburb becoming another Chatswood.

A traffic study report undertaken on behalf of the developer found the proposed site will generate less traffic than the existing uses for the site as a business park.

The new proposal includes 10 units for people with a disability, four studios, five one-bed units, 23 two bed-units, 18 two bed-units with a study and 73 three bed-units.

Submissions close on April 16 and the proposal will then go to Sydney North Planning Panel for a decision.

An artist impression of a common lounge area in the proposed $60m 133-unit development for seniors at 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest. Picture: Supplied.