89 John Whiteway Drive unit development “positive contribution to the Gosford city centre”

The NSW Planning Department has consented to the Development Application for a State Significant Development comprising four residential unit blocks at 89 John Whiteway Drive, Gosford.

The $198.3 million `resort style’ development on the former Gosford quarry site will comprise four buildings ranging in size from 6 to 12 storeys with 260 apartments and 400 space basement car park around a garden and pool setting and was designed by Gosford architects ADG Architects.

The development was placed on Exhibition in April 2021 and received 28 submissions of which 12 were objections, mostly for building height, density, amenity impacts, bulk and scale, traffic, removal of trees and construction impacts.

Reasons given for the consent were that

·          the project is estimated to be worth $98.3 million and would generate up to 472 construction jobs.

·          The plans include a publicly accessible elevated walkway and viewing platform overlooking Gosford and a public pocket park.

·          The Planning Department approved the revised plans on the grounds it achieved “design excellence in accordance with the Gosford SEPP (state environment planning policy)”.

“The department is satisfied the proposed development would result in a positive contribution to the Gosford city centre,” the determination states.

The 2.1 ha site was acquired in 2017 by JWD Developments Pty Ltd the majority shareholder of which is Alceon Group, a privately owned Sydney property financier and investment manager.