Council
29 September, 2026
Planning panel knocks back independent living units
The Wingecarribee Local Planning Panel (LPP) has knocked back plans for 18 independent living units in Kangaloon Road, Bowral.
The Wingecarribee Local Planning Panel (LPP) has knocked back plans for 18 independent living units in Kangaloon Road, Bowral.
While the panel’s deliberations were held behind closed doors, minutes from the September 23 meeting show the decision was unanimous.
The decision is already headed towards the Land and Environment Court with the applicant lodging a deemed refusal before the DA was even discussed.
AO Design Studio Pty Ltd lodged a development application with Wingecarribee Shire Council in June this year for the demolition of existing structures at 74 Kangaloon Road and the construction of a senior housing development.
The application attracted 14 submissions – all of them objections and 10 of them deemed ‘unique’.
Council staff recommended the application be refused because the applicant had failed to provide sufficient information “to demonstrate the site is suitable for the proposed development or that it will not result in any adverse impacts on the built or natural environment”.
In particular, they concluded that the proposed development was inconsistent with the “existing and desired future character of the R2 low density residential area” and that it failed to appropriately recognise “the desirable elements of the site or surrounding area”.
The result, they said, would be “significant changes to the existing landform, removal of existing mature vegetation that contributes to the landscape character of the area and provision of a development with an incompatible character, bulk and scale”.
The application was for 10 two storey units and eight single storey units and associated civil and landscaping works.
Isses raised in submissions included the impact on nearby heritage items and heritage conservation areas, excessive tree removal and adverse traffic and safety impacts.
The LPP primarily agreed with the staff assessment in refusing the DA.
It described the development as “poorly sited” and said it did not relate to its boundaries.
“The boundary built form is monotonous without appropriate setbacks or articulation in built form.
“Beyond design, the proposal has not justified several jurisdictional issues with access and no concurrence from the transport authority being the key,” the LPP found.
--------------
Subscribe to The Southern Wire Newsletter for free at the link below.
https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/1986abc6-c89e-4781-9db2-cf35c9dd71e4
If you value independent local journalism across the Highlands, Tablelands and Wollondilly, please click the link below to support us to ensure we remain paywall free.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Bowral