A commercial and residential development at Toukley which had been met with strong community opposition, was refused by the Central Coast Local Planning Panel.
The Panel was unanimous in its decision that the development proposal was not suitable for the site at 139 Main Rd because of its height, mass and scale.
Among the reasons that the Panel gave for refusal, they said it didn’t fit in with the streetscape and character of the area.
The building bulk and height results in an overbearing visual impact upon the adjoining residential zone, the Panel said.
The development application had insufficient information and detail to adequately assess all impacts, did not meet objectives of various planning policies as well as residential quality design guidelines.
This was a $5M proposal on a narrow 619sqm site to build three storeys comprising six studio flats, three one-bedroom units, nine car parking spaces on a basement level and two retail premises at ground level.
It had gone to the Local Planning Panel for consideration because the development was seeking a height variation to the development standard that exceeded 10 percent.
The local community had voiced strong opposition because of its over development of the site and the compounding traffic and parking problems that it would cause on the already congested Main Rd.
Sue Murray