Crows Nest: Pacific Hwy tower to be determined in court after objections from residents, council

Wollstonecraft residents are fighting plans for a new high-rise office tower standing metres from their homes with fears the building could leave their homes without sunlight.

A photo of the proposed development

Wollstonecraft residents are rallying against plans for a new high-rise office tower standing metres from their homes with fears the building could block sunlight and leave their homes in the dark.

A development plan for a new 13-storey building at 270 Pacific Hwy in Crows Nest has sparked a string of submissions from residents due to potential impacts on homes directly west of the site.

The $164 million proposal includes bulldozing two five-storey buildings currently standing at the site to make for the new complex.

The plans, by developer Silvernight Crows Nest, show the building would have offices, retail tenancies, 182 carparks and new streetscape upgrades.

The site is currently home to businesses, including a photography studio, gym and medical premises.

A photo of the current site.

In early feedback on the proposal, North Sydney Council raised concerns over the height of the building, which would stand 38m above the current 16m height limit.

Concerns have been echoed by multiple residents living in low-rise homes to the rear of the site due to potential privacy and overshadowing impacts.

“My apartment only gets sun in the morning through my front windows, and if this development goes ahead in winter, I believe I will get no sun at all,” resident Jane Hagan said.

The development backs on to residential homes in Wollstonecraft.

“It will make my unit unliveable, and it will negatively affect the value of my property.”

Resident Andrew Holland also opposed the proposal and labelled the building “grotesque” and “wildly out of scale”.

“The height is totally out of character with surrounding buildings, which it would dwarf and cause severe loss of solar access,” he said.

The development will stand 13 storeys tall.

Plans stated the development was in line with the State Government’s St Leonards and Crows Nest Precinct 2036 Plan, which prioritises high-rise growth in the precinct and allows for a 13-storey building at the site.

The plans added the development would also contribute to the “urban renewal” of Crows Nest and support the state government‘s targets for 16,500 jobs within the precinct over the coming decade.

The development backs on to residential homes in Wollstonecraft.

“(The development will) contribute to North Sydney as a prosperous and vibrant LGA that attracts businesses and visitors to its centre,” the plans stated.

“The proposal is of a height, bulk and scale that is consistent with the emerging character of Crows Nest and the broader St Leonards Crows Nest Precinct.”

The North Shore Times understand the Land and Environment Court will be tasked with determining the proposal after it was refused by the council last month.

The tower would also include a cafe and ground floor retail tenancies if approved.