It may seem an unlikely spot, but this rural hobby farm could soon be the site of West Dapto’s first multi-storey apartment complex.
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Developers have lodged new $37.7 million proposal was lodged with Wollongong City Council, hoping to build six separate buildings of up to four storeys.
According to plans for a large triangular site at the corner of West Dapto and Darkes Road, in Kembla Grange, developers hope to build a total of 124 new homes.
The site is currently occupied by one residence and a series of sheds and outbuildings, which would be demolished under the development application.
In the new development, there would be 36 one-bedroom, 80 two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom units, with a total floor space to just over 11,000 square metres.
The proposal, lodged on behalf of Wollongong based builder GC Property Holdings, has also outlined plans for 197 car spaces, with most to be accommodated within two basement car parks under the apartment blocks.
The development will also incorporate almost 4000 square metres of open communal space, divided into seven areas across the site.
Three of the unit blocks face West Dapto Road, one would face Darkes Road and two would face south, towards Horsley and central Dapto.
With the block – which has a street address of 141 Darkes Road – currently surrounded by farmland and rural homes, the developers have acknowledged that the higher density complex will, at first, be incongruous with its surroundings.
They note it could be the first development constructed within the Darkes Road South West Precinct, which is part of the fast-growing West Dapto development area
However, developers say the units are “not inconsistent with the intended future character of the locality”.
“Whilst the development is the first proposed within the R3 Medium Density zoned land within this area of the West Dapto Release Area, once the currently expanding development to the south of the site along West Dapto Road extends further north, the development of the subject site will be consistent in appearance, style and modern architectural features,” the application to the council says.
When complete, the West Dapto area – which covers the area west of the rail line from Kembla Grange south to Marshall Mount – will house more than 55,000 people, according to the council.
It will have multiple town and village centres, including a Darkes Road town centre, which will be located across the road from the proposed development site.
The six block apartment plan is on public exhibition until February 19, through the council’s website.