A revised planning proposal for “Charing Square,” which aims to revitalise the Charing Cross Village in Waverley, is open for community consultation and feedback until 6 February 2022.
Knight Frank on behalf of Barbary Coast Investments Pty Ltd and Rayda Investments Pty Ltd lodged the planning proposal and was accepted on 24 April 2020. The planning proposal applies to Charing Cross precinct, encompassing six properties situated between Bronte and Carrington Rd in Waverley.
The specific locations are:
- 223-227 Bronte Road
- 203-209 Bronte Road
- 211-213 Bronte Road
- 229-231 Bronte Road
- 94 Carrington Road
- 98 Carrington Road
Apart from the Robin Hood Hotel and its associated bottle shop, the site is also home to three shops, the Legion Club, Reece Plumbing and six apartments. The heritage-listed component of the hotel and garages located on Carrington Road will remain untouched.
Photo credit: Waverley Council / waverley.nsw.gov.au
The planning proposal covers a total area of 3,473 square metres and will have a maximum height of 13.5 metres. The proposed design will feature a ground-level laneway precinct to be called “Charing Square” which will rejuvenate the precinct through a mix of retail and commercial uses.
Photo credit: Waverley Council / waverley.nsw.gov.au
Other public benefits of the proposal include public artwork, street tree planting along Carrington Road, additional on-street parking to Carrington Road and a range of “sustainability initiatives”.
Photo credit: Waverley Council / waverley.nsw.gov.au
The Charing Square Planning Proposal follows the previous planning proposal whose appeal was denied by the State Planning Panel on 15 November 2020. Proponents said that the proposal is not a development application but rather a “spot rezoning” request.
Hence, the planning proposal seeks to amend the Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012 that would “allow for a greater yield of commercial and residential floor space”.
Photo credit: Waverley Council / waverley.nsw.gov.au
The proposed changes include an “incentivised maximum (increased) permissible floor space ratio (FSR) and the maximum permissible height of buildings (HOB)”. Specifically, the proposal seeks to increase the HOB from 9 metres to 13.5 metres and the FSR to 2.25:1 from 1:1.
The Charing Square planning proposal is currently on exhibition with the NSW Planning Department.
The public is encouraged to have their say by submitting their feedback by 11.59 pm, Sunday 6 February 2022 through the following means:
- Providing an online submission
- Email to info@waverley.nsw.gov.au (reference SF21/5272) or upload a document in the feedback form
- Post to: General Manager, Waverley Council, PO Box 9, Bondi Junction, NSW 1355 (reference SF21/5272)
The Council will then decide on the proposed changes based on the recommendations of Council officers and community feedback. If Council decides to support the proposed changes then a development application can be submitted.
