New Penrith Stadium grandstand to be scaled back after complaints from property developer

Plans for a new Penrith Stadium spectator grandstand are being redrawn with about 200 seats removed in response to complaints from a residential property developer.

Plans for a new Penrith Stadium spectator grandstand are set to be scaled back in height with about 200 seats removed after a property developer claimed the structure could “block sunlight” to nearby sites and drive down property prices.

The NSW Government has confirmed it will reduce the bulk and scale of a proposed new eastern grandstand in response to a string of objections from development company SHMH4 Pty Ltd.

The developer wants to turn a block of land adjacent to the stadium into 2000 units but claims the height of the eastern grandstand could have “major environmental” implications for its site and potentially slash thousands of dollars off property prices.

In its objection to the stadium, the company argued the grandstand would measure the equivalent of a nine-10 storey residential flat building and cause overshadowing which would severely “impact the public domain”.

“This is considered to be an adverse impact on the solar access to a substantial number of residential apartments and is totally unacceptable and could lead to a significant devaluation of the properties,” the company wrote in an objection to the government.

A concept image of the new grandstand.

Infrastructure NSW – which is leading the redevelopment – has now released revised plans showing the eastern grandstand will be reduced by 1.5m in height.

The changes will result in modifications to the stadium’s roof as well as the capacity of the stand dropping from about 9000 spectator seats to 8800.

The NSW Government said the loss of seats would be offset by additional seating in the western granstand and that the changes would “have the effect of reducing shadowing of the neighbouring site” owned by SHMH4 Pty Ltd.

The height of the grandstand generated concerns from a property developer.

The scaled-back grandstand will result in the height of the eastern stand topping out at 27.95m tall.

The changes come after the $309m stadium redevelopment was announced this year following years of campaigning by Penrith Panthers and the broader community.

Plans for the upgrade are designed to cater for existing matches as well as benefiting female matches to support the growth of women’s sports.

The upgrade also includes new and refurbished corporate and members areas, player facilities, food and drink outlets, and extra carparking spaces.

A concept image of the redeveloped stadium.

Developer SHMH4 Pty Ltd – which is headed up by Chinese based company directors – has already been granted planning approval to build the 2000-unit development next to the stadium on Station St which would comprise of buildings ranging from eight to 14 storeys tall.

The development site was previously home to Panasonic before the company closed its doors in 2006.

Plans for the stadium are in the final assessment stage with a decision on the project due to be handed down by the Planning Department.

The blue lines mark the site next to Penrith Stadium.

If approved, the stadium will operate as a multi-use venue for sporting events, concerts and other entertainment offerings.

Infrastructure NSW said the government remained committed to the redevelopment and had met with SHMH4 Pty Ltd to discuss its concerns.

“Penrith Stadium will meet the current and future social, recreational and sporting needs of the growing population of western Sydney,” a department spokesman said.

“(It) will be the beating heart of Penrith, with a recreational precinct the whole community can enjoy year-round.”