Charing Square laneway destination plans revealed by Daniel Whitten
The eastern suburbs could be set for a new “laneway destination” of shops, restaurants and residents units. The planned development has been described as a “pedestrian oasis”.
Wentworth Courier
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The vision of the Whitten family to create a “pedestrian oasis” and “laneway destination” in Charing Cross is a step closer to reality with the Wentworth Courier given an exclusive look at the latest plans.
With the exception of the Eastern Suburbs Legion Club and Reece Plumbing sites, the Whitten family own the majority of the land backing onto their pub, the Robin Hood Hotel.
Daniel Whitten has been trying to get this parcel of land rezoned by council for years in order to create a vibrant community meeting place he has dubbed Charing Square.
It all started in 2018 when he put forward a planning proposal for a 24 metre high mixed use commercial, retail and residential development.
Both council and the Sydney Eastern Planning Panel knocked back his requests to rezone the site to allow for it to proceed.
However at this month’s Waverley Council meeting, it was unanimously decided Mr Whitten’s newest proposal should be sent off to the Department of Planning for a Gateway Determination meaning it will soon be placed on public exhibition.
Mr Whitten has said he has made significant compromises with his new proposal and is now asking for Waverley Council to make a site specific exemption in their Development Control Plan for the Floor Space Ratio on the sites to increase from 1:1 to 2.25:1 and the maximum height permissible from 9m to 13.5m.
The result is third iteration of the planning proposal which reaches a maximum of four storeys.
“We believe the Charing Cross municipality needs better offerings for residents and basically a lift – a shot in the arm,” Mr Whitten said.
“What we’ve proposed is a laneway concept with some retail below and residential above.
“We’ve owned the Robin Hood as a family since 1979. I live in Waverley and work in Charing Cross everyday so I’m passionate about the area and I want to it do well.
“I want to give locals a genuine alternative to going to Bondi, Bondi Junction or Bronte.”
Waverley mayor Paula Masselos said council had requested the role of local plan-making authority from the Department of Planning.
“What we’ve agreed to is to send the planning proposal to the department for gateway determination,” Mayor Masselos said.
Mayor Masselos said she valued the Charing Cross area and looked forward to hearing the results of public consultation on the proposal.
“Charing Cross is a fabulous village and we have had officers working for quite a long time to regenerate the area,” she said.
“With the number of empty shops, we have been working closely with the Chamber of Commerce to find out what we can do to reimagine the area and bring it back to life.”