Planning officials have rejected a bid to build a $13.5-million apartment block in the heart of Palm Beach because of its height and size.
The three-storey, five-block unit “shop-top” development on Barrenjoey Rd was proposed by tech entrepreneur Robin Khuda, Australia’s 207th richest man, but close to 100 public submissions opposing the development were lodged via DA2021/2362. A reworked development application was also submitted, which attracted approximately 70 opposing submissions.
The development was set to be built next door to the 98-year-old Barrenjoey House in the small retail strip opposite the Pittwater ferry wharf.
The original consent was granted in November 2014, but the new application was referred to the independent Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel due to a large number of opposing submissions and the fact that exceeded the local zoned height limit.
The council recommended the project be approved, but the panel deferred making a decision in February 2023 and requested the developer submit amended plans that reduced the overall height, bulk, and scale of the building.
In late April 2023, the developer was advised that the changes to the plans put forward to the panel were not satisfactory and the amended development application was rejected. Locals had argued that the proposed development would have dwarfed neighbouring properties and destroyed the area’s “seaside atmosphere.”
President of the Palm Beach & Whale Beach Association, Richard West, celebrated the decision, stating that the block would have been totally out of context with the local character and a gross overdevelopment of the site.
Published 12-May-2023
