Developers of Gladesville Shopping Village expected to seek approval directly from state government

NORTHERN DISTRICT TIMES: Hunters Hill Council have voted not to support the latest planning proposal from the developers of the GSV site

GSV revised site plan 4

Hunters Hill Council have shot down the latest planning proposal from the developers of the Gladesville Shopping Village site.

The proposal outlined several alterations to the planning controls applicable to the site including the addition of five different height planes, ranging from 26-58 metres.

Councillors voted 5-1 against supporting the proposal at the recommendation of an independent assessment report into its merit, which was conducted by architectural firm Architectus.

The report addressed several “fundamental” issues with the proposal, including; the poor presentational quality of the urban design, inconsistencies with the proposed heights and deficiencies in the proposal’s Traffic Impact Assessment.

“Based on our initial review of the submitted planning proposal, Architectus does not consider the planning proposal should proceed to Gateway in its current form,” the report states.

“Both Architectus and McLaren Traffic Engineering consider the planning proposal lacks information and sufficient justification to proceed.”

Justin Parry-Okeden (second from left) and Russell Young (second from right) from the Gladesville Community Group have welcomed Hunters Hill Council’s decision not to support the planning proposal for the GSV site. Pictured here with (l-r) Cr Gary Bird, Max Bird, Ross Williams and Phil Jenkyn.

The decision was has been largely welcomed by the community, however, in an email to subscribers, the Gladesville Community Group highlighted that although “the resolution not to support the planning proposal is welcome and we’re happy voting went the way it did, it stands apart from a series of events and actions that we don’t believe reflect the expectations of the community.”

“We do not expect or claim that the actions of Hunters Hill Council have been illegal” the email clarified, but Group spokesman Russell Young says that “you just don’t expect a $9 million land sale without public consultation or a tender.”

As the NSW Department of Planning allows an applicant to take their proposal directly to the state government without local Council support, Young says the council’s decision may ultimately prove to be more of a molehill than a mountain.

“Many people in Sydney are concerned about how supportive of development the state government is, and they can approve the planning proposal without local council support.

“We expect the applicant to take their planning proposal to the state government, with or without Council support,” he said.

Add your comment on facebook.com/ndtimes

Originally published as Developers of Gladesville Shopping Village expected to seek approval directly from state government