Little Bay: Meriton in updated proposal for high rise units
Harry Triguboff’s Meriton has released revised plans for Little Bay after the first blueprint resulted in protests and MPs firing up. However, the redesign actually features more buildings with opponents describing it as “even more horrifying”.
Southern Courier
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- Huge Meriton development proposed for Little Bay
- Little Bay residents protest ‘monstrous’ Meriton proposal
Development giant Meriton has scaled back a proposal for the beachside suburb of Little Bay after Randwick Council slammed its initial plan to build almost 2000 units in towers up to 22-storeys on a prime section of land.
Harry Triguboff’s Meriton bought a 12ha section of land at Little Bay in 2017 for $245 million which included an approved masterplan.
That masterplan allowed for 450 dwellings to be built on the site in buildings up to five-storeys (18m).
However, in September last year, the development giant lodged a new planning proposal with Randwick Council to build 1900 units in buildings up to 22-storeys (or 73m) on the site.
Following community backlash and council completing a preliminary assessment, Meriton lodged an alternative masterplan last month scaling back its proposal.
The alternative masterplan scheme proposes to reduce the maximum building height to 17 storeys.
However, the new design features more buildings and Meriton confirmed there was no reduction in the number of proposed apartments.
Randwick Council provided feedback to Meriton prior to the developer lodging an alternative masterplan.
Council’s feedback included concerns about “unrealistic public transport assumptions used to justify the proposal” and “incompatibility of the proposed heights with the scenic coastal area”.
Under the new proposal, the tallest buildings will be erected on the western side of the site (referred to as the Anzac Parade neighbourhood) and smaller buildings will be erected on the eastern side of the site closer to the beach (referred to as the coastal neighbourhood).
“The division of the site into two urban character zones is a key element of the alternative masterplan,” the Meriton report stated.
“In particular, the built form strategy of the eastern precinct is modulated through lower building heights to minimise the visual impact upon the adjoining coastal landscape.”
Green space will also dissect the two neighbourhoods under the new proposal.
The Meriton report stated the design had strategic merit to meet Sydney’s growing housing demands.
A Meriton spokeswoman said it was “undeniable” the site and broader area “benefits from strategic planning merit”.
“The authorities are determining if there is sufficient strategic planning merit to justify an increase in density on this site and that site specific issues can be addressed,” she said.
“Further consideration of site specific issues will be given should the proposal proceed.”
Little Bay resident Olde Lorenzen, one of the founders of the Save Little Bay group, said the new proposal was alarming.
“In many ways, this alternative proposal is even more horrifying than the previous and is lacking strategic merit in every aspect,” he said.
“The new proposal ... puts up to 17-storey high towers all across the western side of the masterplan site, in front of literally every single dwelling that's already been built and relied on low-rise development in front of them.
“In addition, a green strip that was previously proposed in this section has been replaced by more towers.”