The Forest High, Allambie Heights: Community uproar forces design changes for relocated high school

Locals have complained that ‘gargantuan’ buildings planned for a new northern Sydney high school would ruin their neighbourhood.

School authorities have radically redrawn plans for a Sydney high school — after locals complained the “gargantuan” size of the buildings would run the neighbourhood.

The design for The Forest High School, to be built at Allambie Heights, originally included four-storey classroom blocks.

But after negative feedback from residents living near the site at the northern end of Allambie Rd, and representations from the Liberal MP for Wakehurst, Brad Hazzard, the buildings will not exceed two storeys.

An artist's impression showing revised plans, which include two-storey, instead of four-storey buildings at The Forest Hgh School to be built at Allambie Heights. This is the view of the side pedestrian entry on Allambie Rd. Picture: School Infrastructure NSW

The school is being built because the current The Forest High, next to Northern Beaches Hospital, will be bulldozed, and its 1000 students moved to the new site at the northern end of Allambie Rd, to make way for a new town centre at Frenchs Forest.

When the first draft design for the new school was revealed, the Allambie Heights Residents Action Group began complaining to School Infrastructure NSW that having four-storey buildings built on the edge of Allambie Rd would ruin the “streetscape and character” of their suburb.

An artist's impression showing the main entry on Allambie Rd for the relocated The Forest High School at Allambie Heights. Picture: School Infrastructure NSW

It also said having the lower, two-storey blocks, would ensure a “brighter environment for students to learn” in.

Group spokeswoman Laura Stern has told group members that the “gargantuan wall-like buildings along Allambie Rd have been broken up into smaller buildings, which seem to appear more akin to the size and shape of residential buildings from the street”.

Parents and staff have been told that students could be walking in the gates at the new school in early 2025.

An artist's impression showing the proposed redesign for the relocated The Forest High School at Allambie Heights. Picture: School Infrastructure NSW

They have also been advised that the new school will have a visual arts, wood and metalwork workshops; sports courts and a playing field; hospitality and kitchen spaces as well as “flexible learning spaces”.

There will also be Wi-Fi, including in all outdoor areas.

An artist's impression showing the redesign inclusing the two-storey buildings in orange. Picture: School Infrastructure NSW

An artist's impression showing the former proposed plans, released in early 2022, with four-storey buildings in yellow. Picture: School Infrastructure NSW

In its latest report on the high school move, School Infrastructure NSW told locals that the “revised design” had taken community and school feedback into consideration “with a view to improve student movement around the site and connection with outdoor space”

A Department of Education initiative to develop The Forest High School as a centre of excellence in line with broader inclusive education policies has further contributed to the revised design.

“The revised low-rise design with buildings lowered from four to two storeys reduces the visual impact of the school along Allambie Rd. Architectural studies show the reduction in building height also significantly improves travel time around the site.”

The revised design also includes moving the gym to overlook the sports field and adding anther sports court to central the courtyard.

Authorities were hoping to start building the school, which will have room for 1500 students, on the site of the former Cerebral Palsy Alliance HQ in early 2023.