Locals Angry Over Far West Proposed Development

STOP PRESS ... Rumour has it that the Royal Far West Plans are to be rejected in their current form .....

An Extraordinary meeting of Manly Council was called on 10th October '12 because locals are concerned that their views  are not being heard by the children's charity,  Royal Far West, who has  submitted a Concept Plan to redevelop their site to the Department of Planning & Infrastructure, under the old Part 3A planning rules.

A final report will be prepared for the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) who will be the determining authority. The PAC would then hold a public meeting as part of their assessment of the proposal.

But locals believe that since the process began, almost 12 months ago, it is reasonable to believe that the true repercussions of the proposed redevelopment are only just now being realised by the community.

This is no ordinary site. It is prime real estate that overlooks one of the most famous beaches in the world - Manly Beach.
While Manly Council's Urban Design Guidelines recommend a terraced approached of four to five to six then eight storeys - the Far West proposal, on the beach front, is five storeys then eight storeys.  Locals & the Council  are saying the proposal is too big, too bulky, too high and way too much for this significant site.

The Charity says it needs to redevelop the site to fund its future and replace old, decaying facilities that no longer meet their needs.  But does a charity have the right to expect the community to bear the long-term planning scars that the current plan will create?  I don't think so. What do you think?

---