Neighbours angry over St Leonards tower plan at Atchison Street
North Sydney Council is backing plans for a 16-storey tower despite strong opposition from locals.
Mosman
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North Sydney Council is backing a new tower in St Leonards following objections from residents.
A developer wants to build a 16-storey block on Atchison St and under the deal the council will receive a $2.8 million contribution towards the upgrade of nearby Hume Street Park.
But residents are against the project at number 23-35 on the grounds it will block views, worsen traffic and destroy the village character of neighbouring Crows Nest.
The plan went on public exhibition earlier this year and residents made their views clear in feedback. The council received a total of 54 submissions, the majority of which objected to the proposal.
The mixed-use development would have apartments across 12 floors and it would smash the height limit for the block, raising it from 20m to 56m.
A large number of residents complained that the height of the planned building was excessive and would be incompatible with the surrounding area. They suggested the proposal was overdevelopment of the site and that there was no demand for more high-rise.
Neighbours in surrounding buildings also complained they would lose views as a result of the development.
Opinions were divided in the responses about the public benefits that would come with the project. A number of submissions said it was a “trade-off” for allowing an increase in building height, while two responses supported the project on the grounds of the contributions.
Other public benefits included in the plan include a 5m setback along Oxley St dedicated as public open space and a 6m setback along the western edge to create a link with Albany Lane.
“Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposal has attracted a significant number of objections relating to amenity impacts (in particular overshadowing and traffic impacts), it needs to be recognised that the precinct is undergoing significant change,” a report by the council’s strategic planner Joanne Chan said.
The report said given the development’s role in satisfying state targets for housing and employment, facilitating the retention of regional and district views was “not considered to be reasonable”.
The complaints raised by neighbours weren’t enough for council to amend the proposal submitted by development group TWT.
The plan was backed by councillors at the most recent meeting.
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Local action group OVERdevelopment – we’re OVER it! is also supporting the development as it complies with controls but can understand why neighbours are upset.
“We don’t oppose it. We want decent planning,” spokeswoman Genia McCaffery said.
Council is now forwarding the planning proposal to the Department of Planning.
The Mosman Daily has contacted TWT and a local residents’ group for comment.