Two boarding houses given the green light, and another planned, as councillor calls for action

THREE new boarding houses are planned for Warringah, including one which got the go-ahead after three years of applications, including one which was refused.

THREE new boarding houses are planned for Warringah, including one which got the go-ahead after three years of applications, including one which was refused.

Belrose and North Manly are set to get the studio-style developments, with another planned for Frenchs Forest.

The approvals come in the wake of a controversial boarding house approved in Cromer last year, despite huge protests.

The latest approval was for an underground carpark add-on to a 45-room, $2.2 million development at 2506 Bundaleer Street, Belrose, which had already been given the green light after changes were made to previously refused plans.

A boarding house planned for Bundaleer Street, Belrose, which has been approved. Thesite has been the subject of numerous applications, including a childcare centre, which was refused. Picture: Supplied.

It has been in the works since 2013 and over the past three years has been opposed by more than 20 parties, including Belrose Rural Community Association.

President Dr Connie Harris said the rural area is the “wrong place”.

“They should be integrated into society and not stuffed out here,” she said.

However, a Warringah councillor has urged the mayor to write to State MPs over the developments.

Cr Vincent DeLuca said he wants the laws reviewed following the approval by the council’s independent development panel of a boarding house in Cromer which attracted 800 objections.

The site of the approved boarding house in Washington Ave, Cromer.

Boarding houses are governed by affordable housing rules which make them easier to built, and restricts what councils can do.

Mayor Regan said he’s written to the State Government previously, and “would welcome any changes that prevent developers exploiting the State’s rules and improves the overall process and outcomes for local communities.”

A Department of Planning and Environment spokeswoman said it would happy to hear from Warringah Council.

Cr Vincent De Luca.

Warringah Mayor Michael Regan.

As reported in the Many Daily, charity bosses say those that need cheaper homes will be priced out of the developments.

The new-style boarding houses attract rents of up to $500 a week and are more like studio apartments than traditional boarding houses, each having their own bathrooms and kitchens, but shorter lease agreements.

ALSO PLANNED

A 10-room boarding house at 428 Pittwater Road, North Manly, constructed from ‘pods’ with most units over two levels with a kitchen and bathroom, was approved before Christmas.

A 24-room development in Forest Way, Frenchs Forest, will be discussed at an upcoming Warringah Development Assessment Panel, with locals saying it’s “over the top.”