Revised $16 Million Townhouse Plan for Clifton After Court Intervention
A significant $16 million townhouse development proposal overlooking the iconic Imperial Hotel at Clifton has undergone substantial revisions following action in the Land and Environment Court. The amended plans, which have been scaled back in response to council concerns, are now open for public feedback until February 23.
Development Details and Court Proceedings
Original plans submitted to Wollongong City Council in February last year outlined an ambitious project featuring six townhouses alongside a two-storey home complete with basement parking and a swimming pool. Following a deemed refusal from the council, the developer, Segco, escalated the matter to the Land and Environment Court for resolution.
The court's involvement has led to a revised proposal that reduces the overall scale of the development. One entire townhouse has been removed from the plans, and a pool originally intended for another unit has also been eliminated. Furthermore, the separation between the remaining townhouses has been increased from 2.5 metres to a more substantial four metres, while the distance between the townhouses and the two-storey home has more than doubled to 3.25 metres.
Council Concerns and Heritage Considerations
In court documents, Wollongong City Council expressed strong reservations about the initial proposal, stating it would have "an unacceptable impact" on both the local escarpment and the historic Imperial Hotel. The council argued the development was not consistent with the existing or desired future character of the Clifton area.
In response, the developer commissioned updated studies to address these heritage and visual impact concerns. An amended heritage assessment concluded the revised development would only have "a marginal impact" on escarpment views from the hotel. The report noted that while the proposal could be seen in the same field of vision from Lawrence Hargrave Drive when looking north or south, these views are transient and typically experienced from moving vehicles or specific pedestrian points.
The heritage study ultimately found "no aspects of the proposal which could be detrimental to the significance of the subject site and the heritage items in the vicinity."
Traffic Impact and Current Status
A separate traffic study conducted for the development estimated it would generate approximately five additional vehicle trips per hour during both morning and evening peak periods. The study deemed any impact on Lawrence Hargrave Drive as acceptable within existing traffic management frameworks.
The developer has expressed confidence that the revised plans are now "suitable for the site," having incorporated advice from heritage and visual impact consultants regarding materials and building separation. The amended development application remains on public exhibition, allowing community members to review and comment on the proposed changes before the February 23 deadline.
