Wongala Plaza, Beecroft: $13.6m plans to tear down shopping centre for shop top housing

Businesses are opposing a development proposal which would involve knocking down Wongala Plaza in Beecroft.

Artist impression reveals what a proposed shop top housing development would look like at 5 Wongala Cres, Beecroft. Picture: Hornsby Shire Council website

Local businesses have been left in the dark over a developer’s $13.6m plans to knock down Wongala Plaza and replace it with shop top housing.

A development application was submitted to Hornsby Shire Council earlier this month revealing a proposal to demolish the existing shops at 5 Wongala Cres and to construct a five-storey building with a two-level basement carpark, two ground floor commercial or retail shops, 34 residential apartments and a communal rooftop space.

Artist impression reveals what a proposed shop top housing development would look like at 5 Wongala Cres, Beecroft. Picture: Hornsby Shire Council website

Shops, such as, Beecroft Village Delicatessen will be forced to leave after more than 30 years at their shop.

A number of businesses also claim they weren’t made aware of plans by the developer and had recently found out through a planning alerts app or by word of mouth.

According to a report on the council’s website, the shop top housing project, located across from Beecroft Train Station, will have a public walkway at the northern boundary which will create better accessibility across the Beecroft Village Precinct Area.

Wongala Plaza is set to be demolished to make way for a new shop top housing development. Picture: Hornsby Shire Council website

The new building is set to provide a total of 67 car spaces with 27 for residential units, five for visitors and 35 commercial parking spaces.

While it’s been gazetted as suitable for “the scale of development planned for the

precinct and the desired future character”, there are a number of challenges facing the developer which could halt approval by the planning panel.

This includes problems with the building height, as the application seeks “a minor variation” to the 17.5m limit.

The site is also part of the Beecroft-Cheltenham Heritage Conservation Area and the existing building adjoins to a heritage item, Treasure House.

Signage of Wongala Plaza in Beecroft. Picture: Hornsby Council website

However, a heritage impact statement supplied by the developer states “the overall form and scale of the proposal is acceptable for the subject site”.

Brad Bogue, business owner of Beecroft Village Delicatessen said he was disappointed when he saw the proposal pop up as a planning alert.

“We’ve been here 32 years, it’s been family owned and operate. We specialise in high-end gourmet. We used to have butcher shops and food shops but we’re the only remaining food supply business here,” Mr Bogue said.

The Bogue family who owns Beecroft Village Delicatessen, also known as Cons Village Deli. Picture: Facebook

“We’re the last man standing I think, so it’s a shame. We’ve got six shops here so we’re going to lose businesses.

“I think the locals will certainly kick up a stink about it, I think it’s going to be an issue but I doubt they’ll be able to halt the process. It’s not ideal for us but it’s inevitable because the State Government want high density near rail.”

Mr Bogue said they’ll have another three years left on their lease, before they’ll have to find a new shop to run their business out of.

Business owner of The Interior Designer, Seema Sahni, said the development would impact her.

Business owners will be kicked out of their shops if a shop top housing development is approved for Wongala Ave in Beecroft. Picture: Google street view

“I started this business three years ago as a pop up shop and since then I’ve evolved. It took me two years to gain the trust of the community and set up my business,” Ms Sahni said.

“In two years time if things go through with the developer’s plans, where am I going to find another shop? It’s not easy to reset your business in a location, I think I’ll just have to shut my business.

“They shouldn’t be allowing these developments. We don’t need scryscrapers, it’s just going to block the view and the beautiful trees. Where’s the council and government’s help?”

A number of attempts have been made to get in contact with the developer for comment.