Concerns about Summer Hill and Lewisham developments

David, Ashfield Mayor Ted Cassidy and local residents concerned about the developments. Photo by Sarah Mills for The Inner City Weekender.

Residents of Sydney’s Inner West  are concerned that the two developments, and their combined 730 new residential units, will dwarf nearby homes and generate an unsustainable increase in traffic in and around the two sites.

Unfortunately, The Planning Minister has decided that two projects – the Lewisham Towers and Summer Hill Four Mill developments – will not be assessed together – despite their proximity. This will disguise the true impact the developments will have on the area.

The development of both sites should be considered together in the most transparent process possible to seriously address community concerns about the traffic problems in the area as well as the need for recreational open space (as referenced in Marrickville Council’s Masterplan).

The Summer Hill Flour Mill site

The main elements of the two proposals currently under consideration are:

• 280-300 dwellings
• 3,500-4,000 m2 of commercial space
• 2,500-2,800 m2 of retail space
• 450-500 basement car parking spaces
• 50-70 on street car spaces
• 10-13 storey tower blocks substantially out of character with the surrounding area of heritage one and two story dwellings.
• Population increase of 700-750

There are also substantial concerns about the scale of this retail centre which will likely out-compete the nearby charming Summer Hill village.

Development applications for the site can be found here and here

Get in touch with the local community group working on the Summer Hill Flour Mill site issue – Summer Hill Action Group

Lewisham Towers

The main elements of the proposal currently under consideration are:

• Two 10 storey, one 9 storey, three 7 storey and one 5 storey residential towers.
• 430 residential units
• The total floor space for the development is 170% greater than allowable under the Draft Marrickville LEP 2011.
• 416 parking spaces for 430 residential units and 44 visitor car spaces.
• No provision for on-street parking.

Development applications for the site can be found here

Get in touch with the local community group working on the Lewisham Towers site issue – No Lewisham Towers

The combined effect of the Lewisham Towers and Summer Hill Flour Mill developments

The combined impact of the Lewisham Towers and Summer Hill Allied Mills site will be up to 730 new residential units, generating an unacceptable increase in traffic in and around the two sites.

The proposed new residential towers will dwarf the surrounding residences. If approved this project will set a dangerous precedent for further developments in the vicinity.

Based on the recent independent traffic study by Colston, Budd, Hunt & Kafes, May 2011 commissioned by Ashfield Council these sites will result in:

• Traffic generation: 1,000 more cars per hour in peak hour
• Density: 680-1,000+ residential units
• Retail floorspace: 8,500m2+ including supermarket
• Commercial floorspace: 3,800m2+
• Building height: Multiple high-rises over 10 storeys
• Population increase: 1,500 – 3,000+ people
• Public green space: Limited

The Planning Minister has decided that the determination for the Lewisham Towers site will be made by the Planning Assessment Commission. It would seem appropriate that the two adjacent development proposals – Lewisham and Summer Hill Allied Mills – be assessed together.

The development of both sites should be considered together in the most transparent process possible to seriously address community concerns about the traffic problems in the area as well as the need for recreational open space (as referenced in Marrickville Council’s Masterplan).

Media comment by Greens NSW MP and Planning spokesperson David Shoebridge:

“Together these two developments will have an enormous negative impact on their surrounding suburbs.

“Combined they will add over 700 units in a series of residential towers that will overwhelm the existing built form.

“With local roads already at capacity, these developments will make them almost unusable,” Mr Shoebridge said.

Tags: accountability, affordable housing, development, JRPP, lewisham towers, Local Government, overdevelopment, Part 3A, planning