Four dwellings proposed for Farnell Rd intersection
The Central Coast Council has received a development application for a four-dwelling development at the corner of Blackwall and Farnell Rds, Woy Woy.
The four attached three-bedroom two-storey dwellings would be built at 170 Blackwall Rd, one of five allotments previously subject to a proposal for a consolidation with an 18-unit development.
The intersection is among those included in the recently-started $19 million Blackwall Rd intersections upgrade project, expected to be completed over the next two years.
The application, prepared by Osmond McLeod Architects for Amit-Manisha Holding Company Pty Ltd, states that each of the dwellings would feature ground floor living spaces, first-floor sleeping areas, and an enclosed single-car garage at ground level.
Unit 4 will also include a private rooftop terrace.
The exterior will combine masonry or render at the base with cladding, to give the appearance of timber or metal finishes, and skillion roofs.
The design is claimed to minimise direct overlooking of neighbouring properties, with living room windows facing the street and upper-level windows designed with high sills for privacy.
The site is a relatively flat, regular-shaped block of 828 square metres zoned R1.
The application states that the maximum building height for the area is 10 metres but the drawings show a maximum allowable height of 11.5 metres.
The maximum height of the proposal, at the roof over unit 4, is 9.165 metres.
Responding to the general two-storey limit applying within the zone, the application states: "The dwellings are two-storey with the minor exception of the roof over the rooftop."
No exemption from this requirement has been requested.
The proposed total gross floor area is 448 square metres, resulting in a floor space ratio of 0.54:1.
This is over the permissible ratio of 0.5:1, which would be 414 square metres for this site.
A "Clause 4.6 variation" for the increased size of 34 square metres, just under 10 per cent larger, has been requested for Council's consideration.
As a State Classified road, the minimum setback from Blackwall Road is mandated at 7.5 metres
The application claims compliance because "the proposal has a stepped and varied front setback with the average meeting the 7.5 metre requirement".
"The minimum setback on the upper level is 7.2 metres while the lower (ground) level is nine metres."
The north-facing Farnell Rd setback has the required three-metre setback.
The application states that "as a corner location, the development does not have a rear setback" and that east and south setbacks are "generally compliant".
The proposal claims that 46 per cent of the site area as soft landscaping, exceeding the 25 per cent minimum requirement.
All landscaped areas are designated as deep soil zones.
The application claims that private open space areas provided for units 2, 3, and 4 are compliant, with approximately 35 square metres each at ground level and an additional 20 square metres on upper-level decks.
The planning provisions state a minimum area of 45 square metres is required with a minimum dimension of 4.5 metres.
"These areas are generally required to be located at ground level and must be directly accessible from a living area (other than a bedroom) within the dwelling."
However, exhibited plans do not show the position or dimensions of the private open space.
The application states: "These areas are north-facing, uninterrupted, and connect to the dwellings, meeting the minimum requirements."
An arborist's report by Advanced Treescape Consulting states that six trees are proposed for removal.
A golden cypress is recommended for removal due to canker and failing the visual tree assessment.
A broad-leaved paperbark and a jacaranda on the property would be removed.
Three street trees on the Farnell St frontage would also be removed: two coastal myalls and a brush box, to allow for driveways.
The application proposes separate driveway access for each dwelling.
It expects traffic movements to be low, with minimal impact on Blackwall Rd.
Six trees are identified for retention: two broad-leaved paperbarks and six brush boxes, including three street trees on Blackwall Rd.
The application claims: "The proposed landscape plans allow for plenty of space for suitable replacement trees to be included, which will provide long-term amenity."
It states "two street trees are proposed to the frontage" and refers to the Landscape Plan.
However, no landscape plan is provided with the exhibited documents.
The application lists a requirement for "acoustic privacy": "Developments adjacent to potential sources of high levels of external noise shall minimise the entry of that noise through building design, window placement, noise attenuation measures and external wall treatment."
The application states that "The site is not impacted by unwanted external noise."
It is currently on public exhibition and open for written submissions until August 1.
SOURCE:
DA Tracker, 12 Jul 2025
DA/662/2025, Central Coast Council