Locals in leafy suburb fight against unwanted development and 24-7 trading

Development of a Mexican chain restaurant and a Woolworths have divided an exclusive community.

Locals in an affluent suburb are once again fighting against unwanted development and 24-7 trading hours.

Just last week NCA NewsWire reported that popular Mexican chain Guzman Y Gomez (GYG) had lodged an application with Mosman Council to create a 24/7 restaurant on Sydney’s lower north shore.

The proposed site, on bustling Military Road, between a pharmacy and a Lululemon store, sits within a Heritage Conservation Area and some community members have voiced their concerns about the proposed alterations to the shopfront.

Now, locals have come forward to say the GYG development is just the latest of a long list of applications they’re trying to fight.

“The shopping strip (Military Road), is a local shopping strip, it’s mainly local people who shop there. It’s not a destination location,” said local resident and convenor of the Mosman Village Community group John Wakefield.

This isn’t the first time residents have taken on a big retailer setting up shop along the bustling Military Road. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

The GYG is the final nail in the coffin for some residents, who have been fighting devlopments since 2018.

In that year Woolworths revealed plans to purchase a long stretch of stores along Military Road and build a “full line” grocery store with “longer shopping hours”.

In response residents formed the Mosman Village Community (MVC) to oppose the development.

Mr Wakefield said the group was opposed to the “Woolworths development which was for a full scale supermarket, not a Metro”.

After a lengthy battle, the decision was handed down to build a metro outlet rather than a “large scale” store that was originally planned.

Woolworths had initially applied for longer trading hours, however, through the help of the MVC the extended operating hours was rejected by council, allowing the store to operate until 10pm.

Woolworths Metro in Mosman has officially opened to the public, after a controversial start. Picture: Supplied.

Residents have voiced their concerns when it comes to approving 24 hour licensing applications, as they fear it will open up the floodgates for other business to follow.

“It would upset people who live close to these shops, above and across the road. It’s impact on people in the later hours of the night,” said Mr Wakefield.

The proposed site also sits within a heritage conservation area and some community members have concerns about the proposed look of the GYG development.

Mr Wakefield said MVC are committed to maintaining the prosperity of Mosman and what it’s like to live there “today and for the future”.

“How liveable, enjoyable, safe and attractive Mosman is depends on what our council approves,” he said.

Local resident John Wakefield is passionate about keeping Mosman a thriving and inviting space for locals. Picture: Supplied.

Mosman heritage buildings have also been at risk, with a number of boutiques and well-known stores disappearing to make room for the supermarket along with a carpark for shoppers.

Woolworths group had purchased six adjoining properties along Military Road between Belmont Road and Gouldsbury, in the attempt to build their megastore.

While the six sites are not listed as heritage items, they lie within the Military Road heritage conservation area and are also located within the vicinity of three heritage items.

In addition to Woolies, a nearby school had also undergoing major renovations.

While dozens of trees were cut down as part of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, with locals citing it as “irreversible destruction”.

Plans were also made to demolish the historic and iconic “Gargrave” mansion, located on Raglan St.

According to news.com.au, who reported the owner of the 117-year-old grand Federation home, had lodged earlier this year, a development application to knock it down.

Replacing it with a new apartment block consisting of three three-bedroom luxury homes, basement level parking and a pool.

Local residents were fighting to save the historic building at 92 Raglan St, Mosman. Picture: Facebook

The plans sparked more outrage once again after being widely shared within the Mosman community.

“Mosman – the art of destroying heritage houses for big money. Fight, object, stand up – unified we might get some beautiful houses protected. There are ways!” one angry resident posted on social media regarding the DA.

On September 26th this year the proposal to demolished the building was refused with the applicant having submitted an appeal three days later to the Land Environment Court.

The decision on the appeal is currently pending determination.

The home was reportedly sold in February 2019 for $5,313,750, with DA documents revealing the estimated cost of the proposed renovations to be $4,235,000.

MVC state they started the group to “protect the character and amenity of our village”.

Originally published as Locals in leafy suburb fight against unwanted development and 24-7 trading