New Lambton boarding house development given approval for accommodation of Newcastle Knights players

A recently approved boarding house in New Lambton will accommodate Newcastle Knights players looking for somewhere to live, but they may have to adhere to strict house rules. Read the details.

The Newcastle Knights will have somewhere to house players looking for accommodation with a ‘high end’ boarding house given the green light.

Across the road from Wests New Lambton, the boutique development on Hobart Rd – worth almost $2.5 million – will be able to provide accommodation for up to 10 Knights players.

Owned and operated by Wests Group, the boarding house – built over two levels – will have an open plan communal kitchen and living area, a carers suit, multimedia room, sitting area and a large enclosed courtyard area.

The development also has a five-space garage for carparking.

Artists impression – West Group had a boarding house development approved to accommodate Newcastle Knights players. EJE Architecture

But the plans suggest that players who live there will be subject to strict house rules.

The development – given approval last week – includes the monitoring of guest access, loud music and the use of shared areas.

“The purpose of the PoM (Plan of Management) will be to ensure the boarding house maintains a high level of amenity for neighbouring properties and for all boarders residing in the premises,” a statement of environmental effects report said.

A boarding house manager will also live on site to oversee “day-to-day activities” and provide support to boarders.

While the development has been approved, two submissions opposing the plans cited the purpose of the development did not meet the definition of “affordable housing”.

“If the players are under contract, they are therefore commercially engaged by the Newcastle Knights, being groomed for lucrative professional football careers, and in that sense, we believe the proposed development will not provide accommodation for very low income households, low income households or moderate income households”,” the submission read.

Nor will it support “to facilitate the development of housing for the homeless and other disadvantaged people who may require support services, including group homes and supportive accommodation”.

Less than 200 metres from New Lambton’s main commercial strip, the boarding house is located just 1.2km walking distance to McDonald Jones Stadium and the Broadmeadow Sporting Precinct, which includes the Knights’ Centre of Excellence facility.