Rocks rebellion cracks Dockside’s glass-building plans

Residents of The Rocks in Sydney appear to have won their battle against a proposed ­four-storey glass-block building.

Residents of The Rocks in inner-city Sydney appear to have won their battle against Dockside’s proposed ­development of a four-storey glass-block building next to Campbell’s Stores on Sydney Harbour.

A landscaped terrace has ­replaced the proposed building in an amended $30 million application to restore the 1880s-built Campbell’s Stores following strong community objections, ­according to a statement from the NSW Planning and Environment Department.

The application from a company associated with the Dockside Group, Tallawoladah, to restore the historic storehouses has now been referred to the Planning Assessment Commission for a final decision.

The storehouses are home to several high-profile restaurants run by the Dockside Group.

The Planning and Environment Department’s executive ­director of key sites and industry assessments, Anthea Sargeant, said the original proposal raised more than 100 objections during a public exhibition in 2015 and last year. This prompted her to seek independent expert heritage and ­design advice.

“It was found that this building (the glass block) was not compatible with the heritage and surrounding buildings at the site and shouldn’t be included,” she said.

Other planned works include removing temporary structures such as awnings, as well as landscaping and creating more public space. “These works would make it easier to move in and around the site and would allow the public to be able to use and appreciate this historical icon,” she said.

“If the PAC approves this ­application, it would enable this site to be used in future for restaurants, bars and cafes.”

The original plan was to allow the development of 16 restaurants, cafes and bars.

Tallawoladah’s director is Christopher Drivas, managing ­director of the Dockside Group, which was founded by his family more than 30 years ago.

Mr Drivas and Urbis, which acted for Tallawoladah, could not be reached for comment.