Fear grows for Rippon Grange

Katrina Adamski

19Sep06

THE proposed development of the historic Rippon Grange site at Wahroonga opens the potential for massive over-development in residential areas, outraged residents say.

Water St resident Stephanie Vaughan, a member of the John Williams Neighbourhood Group, said the developer was ``trying to get away with increased density'' because the heritage-listed site had been used as a hospital.

``This development application has wider implications for the whole community,'' Ms Vaughan said. ``There are no protection measures in place for residents  the site is under hospital zoning which means any developer can fall back on special use zoning for high rise.''

Waterbrook Lifestyle Resorts plans to spend $50 million on a retirement village, which will cover 25 per cent of the site, comprising 78 units in six, five-storey buildings on the 2.3ha grounds in Water St.

The State Government sold Rippon Grange to Waterbrook for almost $10 million last year.

``How did the Government allow such a treasure to be sold for the most profit possible?'' said Ms Vaughan. ``Why did the Government not rezone the site to protect it?''

Waterbrook project manager Ben MacGibbon said a retirement resort was entirely appropriate for the site and the local community.

He said the proposal was a ``passive use'' and fully considerate of  heritage and landscape issues.

But Ku-ring-gai MP Barry O'Farrell said the proposed development should send a warning to all residents about the Government's flawed State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).

Addressing the annual general meeting of the North Turramurra Action Group on Sunday, Mr O'Farrell said the ``vertical village'' development was completely unacceptable for the area.

``SEPPs are not approved by Parliament or subject to disallowance  residents have no direct recourse to have them changed or scrapped,'' he said.

The resident notification period for the proposed development of Rippon Grange officially ended on Monday, however Ku-ring-gai Council is accepting letters until the end of September.

Mayor Nick Ebbeck said he had ``grave concerns'' about the proposal including bulk, scale, the heritage order and building heights as well as traffic and environmental impacts.

``Council is currently looking at this development application and will make an assessment in about a week,'' he said

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