Land and Environment Court determines $55m development for Crows Nest gas works site following North Sydney Council, resident opposition

A heritage-listed former gas works building is a step closer to being turned into a multimillion-dollar Sydney housing project, despite the objections of neighbours and a local council.

A concept image of the development, which the Land and Environment Court has approved.

A heritage-listed former gas works building is a step closer to being turned into a multimillion-dollar housing project after developers took court action against a local council in a bid to have the proposal approved.

The Land and Environment Court has given the green light to developer PDS Engineering Division’s plan to transform the heritage-listed former North Shore Gas Co site at 286-294 Pacific Hwy, in Crows Nest, into an 11-storey mixed-use retail and apartment building.

The approval was granted despite opposition from the North Sydney Council and nearby residents over potential impacts of the development, including the height of the tower blocking sunlight to surrounding homes.

The $55m proposal includes ground level retail areas, with upper levels dedicated to apartments with a total of 52 units and 54 basement carparking spaces.

Parts of the existing heritage-listed building, which has stood on the site since 1941, would be preserved as part of the development, including the front facade.

A concept image of the development.

A historic image of the gas works site.

PDS Engineering took the case to court after the council’s planning panel refused the development plans at a meeting in November 2023.

The council’s concerns partly centred on the proposed building’s height, which would breach the eight-storey limit and, according to the council, create an “adverse visual impact on the surrounding area” due to its “excessive bulk and scale”.

Public submissions were also opposed, with Lars Rognlien, who lives directly next to the building, expressing fears the project would “limit our privacy and likely cause additional noise disturbance”.

The historic building, pictured in the 1950s.

Resident Sarah Nelson said “it would be very disappointing to allow such a tall structure” on the site and “lose yet another heritage building”.

In its plans, the developer stated the project would “contribute towards meeting the housing targets for the area”.

“The proposal supports the transformation of the Crows Nest commercial centre by creating an attractive built form which caters to the contemporary needs of future residents, workers and the broader community,” the plans stated.

Neighbours’ concerns have centred on the height of the proposed building.

A concept image of the development.

“The increase in housing diversity and supply also assists in the availability (and affordability) of housing stock in the broader area, thereby providing a broader social and economic benefit.”

In approving the plans, the court found the proposal was in line with NSW Government planning controls for the Crows Nest area.

The controls include fast-tracking housing within a 1200m radius of the recently opened Crows Nest Metro station to boost the supply of new housing in the area.