Modified plans for the Belrose Manor, an upmarket, 99-bed aged care facility have been released for public comment, more than seven years after it was first proposed.
Read: Belrose Faces Potential 117-Lodger Boarding House Expansion Amid Local Opposition
Regis Aged Care, an ASX-listed aged care provider is seeking approval for $306,000 worth of changes to the northern beaches development, which would see the number of beds decrease from 105 to 99.
The modifications include alterations to floor plans and refinements to the dementia garden and ground floor courtyard. The proposal also calls for the removal of four previously approved visitor parking spaces.
This latest adjustment comes after a complex approval process spanning more than seven years. The project’s journey began with an initial development application in 2017, which proposed demolishing an existing six-bedroom house at 181 Forest Way to make way for the four-level facility.
That application was withdrawn, and a subsequent proposal in 2018 was rejected by the Sydney North Planning Panel, citing concerns about overdevelopment and building height.
Local residents had raised several objections to the development, including the removal of 45 trees from the property, potential noise impacts, privacy concerns, issues with lighting, and increased traffic in the area.
However, the developer secured approval through the Land and Environment Court in October 2020. In his ruling, Commissioner Timothy Horton granted exemptions to building height and setback requirements, stating he was “satisfied that the development standards are complied with.”
The commissioner specifically noted that the development would “not disrupt the skyline when viewed from Narrabeen Lagoon or the Wakehurst Parkway” and determined it aligned with “the desired future character of the locality.”
Read: $40-Million Belrose Development Approved After Long-standing Legal Battle
The property was purchased in September 2021 for $14.15 million, with development approval already in place.
The approved Belrose Manor facility features a dedicated 25-bed dementia wing with ocean views, and includes numerous amenities such as a café, hair salon, and multiple dining areas with a private dining room. The development will also house lounge areas, outdoor terraces, a commercial kitchen, and laundry facilities.
The public has until November 28 to comment on the proposed modifications to the development plans.
Published 23-November-2024