Frenchs Forest: 124-unit block in new town centre precinct approved

Plans have been approved for one of the first big ticket apartment redevelopments on the edge of a new town centre in Sydney. See the artist’s impressions.

Plans for one of the first mega-residential redevelopments around the future Frenchs Forest Town Centre have been approved.

The massive $71m proposal to build 124 apartments — across three 6-7storey blocks — opposite Northern Beaches Hospital was given the go ahead by the state government’s Sydney North Planing Panel.

Developers can now demolish four family house lots on Frenchs Forest Rd West and Gladys Ave to make way for the units to be built just minutes from the suburb’s new town centre.

The project will also help meet Northern Beaches Council’s target of 12,000 new dwellings needed to house a predicted 23,000 population rise by 2026.

It also comes three years after the NSW Government gave planning permission to create the new Frenchs Forest Town Centre based around the site of the current The Forest High School.

An artist's impression of a $71m, 124-apartment complex, across three 6-7storey buildings, which has been given State Government planning permission to be built close to Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest. Picture: BMHP Architecture

The project also comes three years after the NSW Government gave planning permission to create the new Frenchs Forest Town Centre based around the site of the current The Forest High School.

The town centre, part of the wider “Frenchs Forest Place Strategy 2041” which includes 5360 new homes, was given the government’s planning tick of approval just before Christmas 2021.

An artist impression of the new piazza and village green which will be part of the new proposed Frenchs Forest town centre. Picture: NSW Government.

It is the first phase of a three-stage redevelopment — designed to incorporate the hospital precinct into the suburb — to be rolled out over the next 20 years.

The current Forest High school will be demolished. A new high school is now being built at nearby Allambie Heights.

About 1.5 hectares of new public open space in the town centre, including a 1665sq m plaza, will be created and the council will upgrade three local parks – Brick Pit, Akora and Rabbett reserves.

An artist impression of The Boulevard which will run into the new Frenchs Forest town centre. Picture: NSW Government.

Frenchs Forest is also one of nine town centres on the northern Beaches that have been approved for Low and Mid Rise Housing by the state government as part of its push to provide more homes.

Planning documents state the latest DA will include nine apartments set aside for community public housing and 21 for affordable housing for key workers.

An artist's impression of the $71m, 124-apartment complex that has been given State Government planning permission at Frenchs Forest. Picture: BMHP Architecture

A plan of the 124-apartment complex close to Northern Beaches Hospital. Picture: BMHP Architecture

The site of the complex close to Northern Beaches Hospital. Picture: BMHP Architecture

There is already approval for a 55-room affordable housing development in Gladys Ave, aimed at offering accommodation to hospital staff.

In the Statement of Environmental Effects, lodged with the DA, a planning consultant wrote that the unit development seeks to “build on the established character of French’s Forest to create a place for people”.

“The proposal is consistent with (establishing) a vibrant and safe high-street and medium density residential buildings which provide safe, energised and a tree lined high-street for residents and workers,” the report stated.

Originally published as Frenchs Forest: 124-unit block in new town centre precinct approved