Boronia Park: Woolworths Pittwater Rd redevelopment rejected over ‘public amenity’ fears

A multimillion-dollar plan to turn an ageing Woolworths outlet into a multistorey retail complex has been rejected over fears it could create “adverse impacts” on neighbouring residents.

The proposed redevelopment of the store sparked opposition from neighbouring residents.

A multimillion-dollar plan to turn an ageing Woolworths outlet into a multistorey retail complex has been rejected over fears it could create “adverse impacts” on neighbouring residents.

The proposed redevelopment of the Woolworths outlet on Pittwater Rd, Gladesville was unanimously rejected by Ryde Council’s planning panel at a recent meeting attended by residents and developers.

The $8.6m proposal included rebuilding the existing store into a new three-storey complex with a childcare centre, an expanded 1430sq m basement supermarket, a bottle shop, two retail tenancies, a cafe and a medical centre.

Developer and site owner Revelop state, in planning documents, the new retail hub was designed at modernising the existing store and reviving the local shopping strip.

But the council’s planning panel raised a string of concerns over impacts on traffic, a 75cm breach of the site’s 9.5m height limit, and the amenity of nearby residents.

A concept image of the proposed development.

It also found the setbacks of the building were “a poor design solution given the commercial nature of the site and the context”.

“The proposed development should be refused as the design does not adequately address the potential impact on nearby residential properties or the commercial location,” the panel’s decision states.

The proposal was rejected by the Ryde Planning Panel.

The decision comes after submissions by residents lodged during consultation raised objections over impacts including noise, vibration and dust during construction works.

There were also concerns about potential noise associated with the child care centre, insufficient parking to service the development, and an increase in shopping trolleys that could be dumped in the area.

Revelop director Anthony El-Hazouri previously told this publication he had hoped the development would revive Boronia Park shopping strip and provide employment opportunities for the community.

He said it could have also met local demand for childcare centres.

The development would have stood three storeys tall.

The development proposal was lodged to the council last year.

“The problem Boronia Park has at the moment is that the store isn’t just old but it’s also small so there isn’t that sufficient offering for people to go there for that one-stop-shop,” he said.

“The aim is to have a larger supermarket on the lower level and shops at the ground level – by doing that you have the ability to tie in with other shops on Pittwater Rd and create a proper precinct and local high street.”

Woolworths has a long-term lease on the site and it is understood Revelop had proposed to secure a deal with the retailer to continue trading at the site.

The planning panel was also critical of the proposed carparking layout which it states resulted in “a shortfall of carparking for the shop uses” and could have “impacts to traffic flow and potential for queuing”.

The development would have also involved demolishing a neighbouring house at 57 Thompson St.