Chatswood: New plans for high rise unit tower sparks height, overshadowing fears

Developers are facing backlash over plans for a major skyscraper that locals fear will block sunlight and overshadow popular sporting fields. See what’s planned.

A concept image of the development, as viewed from Chatswood Oval.

There are concerns a new residential tower planned at Chatswood could overshadow surrounding sites including community sporting clubs and a popular oval.

A three-storey residential building at 3 Ellis St would be redeveloped to make way for a 14 storey mixed-use building under plans released by developer MPG AU Pty Ltd.

The $25.6 million building would stand 44.5m tall and overlook Chatswood Oval, the Chatswood Croquet Club and the Chatswood Bowls Club.

The plans come almost two years after separate development plans for a 15-storey building at the site were proposed by MPG AU.

The proposal, at the time, sparked objections from nearby residents and Willoughby Council due the height of the building and impacts on surrounding buildings including two nine-storey buildings and two eight-storey buildings located on the same block.

A concept image of the development.

Chatswood Croquet Club also lodged an objection to the plans due to fears the building could block sunlight and overshadow the club’s three lawns.

Club secretary Bob Berry said the club remained concerned about the redevelopment.

An aerial view of the site.

“The building will overshadow the club and we also have developments going on the western side of the club,” he said.

“The biggest worry is we have lawns and the more shadow we get in winter, the harder it is for the grass to grow.

“We’re a growing club and croquet isn’t just for older people – there are a number of young people who play and we also work with Chatswood High School. In winter, if we’re playing on the lawns without sunlight it’s cold and not so pleasant”.

MPG AU, in plans for the latest proposal, state the building had been designed to “improve the built form of the area”, and was in line with Willoughby Council’s Chatswood CBD Planning Strategy 2036 that has set a 44m height limit on the site.

The building will stand 14 storeys tall.

Concept plans of the development at 3 Ellis St in Chatswood

A shadow impact assessment included in plans state the “proposal would have no additional impact on the long term health of the croquet lawn and Chatswood Oval given the shade currently imposed by existing structures”.

“The proposed maximum building height is consistent with the desired future maximum building heights as outlined in the Chatswood CBD Strategy (and) will enable the delivery of additional residential dwellings and commercial/retail,” the plans state.

“(It) will also provide additional housing diversity to service demand in the Willoughby local government area.”

A photo of the current site.

If approved the 52-year-old building at the site, comprising nine units, would be demolished.

The new development would include three lower levels of retail and commercial areas and 28 units split across the upper levels of the building.

Other features of the development include communal facilities, landscaping and four levels of basement carparking with 42 spaces.

Development plans state the building would benefit from nearby public transport links including Chatswood Metro Station, 200m to the north of the site, and bus stops along the Pacific Hwy.

The proposal is currently under assessment by Willoughby Council.