Belrose, Forest Way: New plan for $32m nursing home with dementia care ward approved

A long-awaited, up-market aged care facility on the northern beaches — featuring a special dementia wing with its own garden — has been given the go-ahead by state planning authorities.

An artist's impression of the 99-bed Regis Aged Care facility to be built on Forest Way, Belrose. It has been given the final go-ahead by state planning officials, eight years after the development was first proposed. Picture: Supplied

An up-market, 99-bed aged care facility on the northern beaches has been given the go-ahead — eight years after the complex was first proposed.

Regis Aged Care can now build the $32m facility, which includes ocean views and dementia wing on Forest Way, Belrose.

The state government’s Sydney North Planning Panel has allowed the original DA to be modified so the approved number of bedrooms could drop from 103 to 97, and total beds from 105 to 99.

Regis, based in Melbourne, is one of the largest aged care providers in Australia with about 10,000 employees and 66 homes

The Land and Environment Court granted approval for the development of the $32.5m Belrose Manor facility, featuring a 25-bed dementia wing and attached garden, in October 2020.

An artist's impression of the 97-roomd Regis Aged Care facility to be built at Belrose. It will have a dedicated 25-bed dementia wing and garden, Picture: Supplied

The approval followed a lengthy saga with an initial DA, which proposed to demolish a six-bedroom house at 181 Forest Way and replace it with the four-level facility, withdrawn in 2017.

The following year, the Sydney North Planning Panel rejected a subsequent application on the grounds of overdevelopment and height concerns.

The six-bedroom house at 181 Forest Way, Belrose that will be replaced by the aged care facility. Picture: Supplied

Local homeowners were also worried about the loss of 45 trees from the property as well as increased noise, privacy issues, lighting and increased traffic.

However, the developer ultimately won a court battle to gain approval for the facility.

In his written judgment, Commissioner Timothy Horton granted an exemption to building height and setbacks, stating he was “satisfied that the development standards are complied with”.

The commissioner also ruled it would “not disrupt the skyline when viewed from Narrabeen Lagoon or the Wakehurst Parkway”.

An artist's impression of part of the Regis Aged Care to be built at Belrose. Picture: Supplied

“On this basis, I am satisfied that the proposed development is consistent with the desired future character of the locality,” he wrote.

Regis, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, bought the land with DA approved in September 2021 for $14.15m.

The ocean view from 181 Forest Way, Belrose. Picture: Supplied

The approval allowed a cafe, hair salon, dining areas, private dining room and lounge areas, outdoor terrace areas, commercial kitchen and laundry.

There will also be a two-level underground car park.

Originally published as Belrose, Forest Way: New plan for $32m nursing home with dementia care ward approved