MORATORIUM ON SEPPS – FRENCHS FOREST PLANNED PRECINCT
This Mayoral Minute by Mayor Regan addressed the issue of the loopholes currently available for inappropriate development in the Frenchs Forest Hospital Precinct. At the Council meeting Mayor Regan amended his Minute to include the entire Northern Beaches Council area, and in particular the Frenchs Forest Planned Precinct.
BACKGROUND
When planning for growth, it is imperative that policies work together and complement each other to achieve great community outcomes.
In the case of the Frenchs Forest Planned Precinct, there is a great risk that existing State Environmental Planning Policies may deliver housing outcomes that are not in the interests of the community in the long term.
The Frenchs Forest Planned Precinct project is led by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in collaboration with Council and relevant state agencies. Significant work is underway to implement Phase One of Council’s adopted Northern Beaches Hospital Precinct Structure Plan in Frenchs Forest.
I would like to bring to your attention a serious and important issue that Council is facing regarding this planned precinct. Council has received several development applications using State Government planning policy to override local planning controls for boarding house and seniors’ housing development within this Precinct. Whilst Council recognises the importance of providing for a range of housing options, this needs to be provided in locations which can support this type of development and areas which do not compromise the overarching strategic intent of the precinct.
Frenchs Forest is designated by the NSW Government as a Strategic Centre, Health and Education Precinct and Planned Precinct and the Affordable Rental Housing & Seniors Housing SEPPs have the potential to significantly undermine the delivery of Frenchs Forest as a Planned Precinct. In consideration of the above, it is proposed to write to the Minister for Planning to request an immediate moratorium on State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 and State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing for Seniors or People with a Disability) 2004 for the Frenchs Forest Planned Precinct
