Chester Hill: Chester Square planning proposal for 18-storey height limit
A major player in Sydney’s property development industry is behind new plans to revitalise a south-west town centre, which could see towers up to 18 storeys and hundreds of units built. FIND OUT WHAT’S IN STORE.
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One of Sydney’s major property developers is behind bold new plans to transform a town centre in Sydney’s southwest which, if approved, could see 18-storey towers built at the site.
Holdmark Property Group — headed by Sarkis Nassif, who has had a hand in turning Parramatta, Meadowbank, Burwood and Auburn into high-density neighbourhoods — has lodged a planning proposal to revitalise Chester Square in Chester Hill.
The site at 1 Leicester St is currently home to a one-level shopping mall with 31 specialty stores and a Woolworths supermarket, located close to Chester Hill railway station.
The developer is seeking to revitalise the site and provide a “place-making catalyst which will stimulate significant improvement for Chester Hill”, according to planning documents.
Under the plans, the maximum height of buildings would increase from six storeys to 18, allowing for up to 633 units including 32 set aside as affordable rental housing units for up to 10 years.
More than 15,000sq m of commercial floor space for office and retail use is also envisioned for the site, as well as a publicly-accessible plaza area and a building for a new library to be dedicated to Canterbury-Bankstown Council.
Other public benefits proposed by the developer include upgrades to the local traffic network including intersection signalisation at Waldron Rd and Priam St and widening of Frost Lane.
A spokeswoman for Holdmark Property Group said the community will benefit from upgraded infrastructure, additional housing and green space, and local activation.
“Holdmark’s overarching vision for the site (is) to create a vibrant town centre and public plaza that supports attractive and enjoyable residences amongst a successful and active commercial centre using principles of sustainable urban design,” the spokeswoman said.
“Chester Square is located at a key ‘local centre’ with bus and train interchange, the proposal underlines the importance of Chester Hill in the urban fabric and is a key location for urban growth and employment opportunities.”
The purpose of the planning proposal was to “facilitate the redevelopment of the site in a manner that supports the NSW Government’s objectives for local centres and infill development”, the spokeswoman added.
The plans have been criticised by community group Save Chester Hill, a campaign of the Restore Inner West Line movement, who claim the proposal is not an example of sustainable development.
“The ground level site is basically representative of the entire Chester Hill area. There’s basically no high-rise in Chester Hill at all and it’s excessive,” Roydon Ng, co-convener of the Save Chester Hill group, said.
Mr Ng cited traffic concerns and added public transport options would be limited with the introduction of the Sydney Metro Southwest in 2024, which will see direct train services from Chester Hill to Bankstown cut.
“The group’s not against development and progress per se, but Chester Hill is one of the bigger population locations west of Bankstown. In terms of traffic and transport infrastructure it’s one of the worst,” Mr Ng said.
“Waldron Rd in Chester Hill is already congested and overcrowded and putting 633 units in Chester Square is going to make it worse.”
The planning proposal is now before Canterbury-Bankstown Council.