After sitting idle for two years, a prime development package in the heart of Gosford, incorporating the former Union Hotel site, looks set for some action at last, with a new, amended application for the Archibald development open for public submissions until September 23.
Originally approved seven years ago, the major development, which occupies a block bounded by Mann, Donnison and Baker Streets, has seen several amended applications and major hold-ups.
It was first approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel on May 14, 2015, to comprise a mix of retail, commercial and entertainment uses, seeking to retain the existing Union Hotel use on the site.
The approved development included a hotel complex with 134 rooms, amenities and meeting facilities, with hotel rooms in both the east and west tower, car parking over one basement level and three above ground levels for 476 vehicles and 276 residential units in the two towers.
It was deemed to be generally consistent with the direction of State and Regional planning policies, particularly the development of housing and jobs in existing centres with good access to services and transport.
At the time, the development was predicted to have a positive effect on the local economy and kickstart the revitalisation of the Gosford CBD.
The consent was modified on December 23, 2016, to increase the number of hotel rooms from 134 to 167 with a reduction in hotel room sizes to accommodate the increase and modifications to amenities and meeting facilities.
Hotel rooms were to be provided in the east tower only.
The modification also saw an increase in car parking spaces from 476 vehicles to 507 and an increase in residential units from 276 to 342 with a reduction in size of units and balconies.
Further amendments on July 24, 2020, saw an amended site description to include lot 2 DP 504322 No 120A Mann St, which was not included in the original description by error, and several layout revisions.
Subsequent amendments saw hotel rooms remain at 167, residential apartments reduce to 289 and parking spaces increase to 910.
When for sale signs appeared on the site earlier this year, plans for the development appeared to be in limbo.
The site has subsequently been acquired by Aland Property Developments, which is seeking to progress the development proposal and introduce a series of changes to improve it.
Fundamentally the development is designed to retain the approved form, footprint, height, FSR and setbacks.
The changes are largely internal and the form and presentation of the building is largely maintained as approved.
The primary changes see a reduction in the number of hotel rooms from 167 to 130 and an increase in the number of apartments from 289 to 323.
These will include a mix of one, two three and four-bedroom units between the two towers.
The latest amendment will see the removal of two of the lower basement levels, reconfiguration of carparking layouts and reduction in carparking from 910 to 708 spaces.
Other amendments include an increase in area to the pub offering with associated gaming room and a reduction in the commercial area on Level 1.
There will also be an adjustment to hotel facilities and amenities at L5 and L6 and provision of a rooftop bar and restaurant.
Source:
Central Coast Council DA tracker
DA46256/2014/D
Good to see there may be progress on cleaning up some of the derelict sites afflicting the Gosford city center. There has been lamentable progress in dealing with the blight of the abandoned buildings and blocks.