Plans for luxury unit complex on Military Rd derailed by Mosman Local Planning Panel.

By ANNA USHER

Plans for a luxury apartment development in the heart of Mosman have been derailed after Council rejected the application.

Last week, Mosman Local Planning Panel (MLPP) refused to provide consent to prominent Sydney developer Toohey Miller for a new $9.3 million complex at 938 Military Rd.

The proposal, lodged in September 2023, included demolition of the existing building and the construction of a mixed-use development comprising a retail shop, seven apartments and basement parking.

The 708sqm site currently comprises a two-storey brick commercial building facing Military Rd, with a four-storey block of nine flats at the rear, with access to Martens Lane.

In his design report submitted to Council, Project Director and Architect Alex Tzannes said if approved, the boutique development would have a maximum of two units per split level, with each residence “generously sized” to accommodate a large open plan kitchen, living and dining spaces, bedrooms with ensuites and internal laundries.

Video: 938 Military Rd, Mosman plans.

Units 6 and 7, he said, would be two storeys and offer generous private open spaces and additional living areas.

“The anticipated market is households that may be downsizing from large single dwellings or families who prefer the convenience of apartment living and proximity to the CBD,” he said.

In its assessment, Mosman Council said 32 resident submissions were received, with matters raised concerning construction impacts, height variations, reduced daylight access and ventilation.

Local home owner Sandra O’Neill said her property would suffer an unacceptable loss of natural light and ventilation if the development went ahead.

“All rooms are still impacted: the kitchen window, bedroom window, bathroom window and the living room window,” she said, “more needs to be done to address this imposition and degradation of living conditions.”

Resident John Boyd cited the closure of 938 Military Rd businesses, including Kai Yoga, Facetti Jewellers and Japanese restaurant Kojiro, saying the D.A “is not in the interests of the residents of Mosman”.

“If this project goes ahead, many residents will be disadvantaged,” Mr Boyd said.

“The owners of the businesses are attempting to find nearby suitable & affordable premises. If they fail to find suitable premises, we may also lose these businesses.

“To sum up, we have lost one business already, and two further businesses are at risk. All three are heavily used by residents who live near Mosman Junction.

“In return for this loss, we will get just seven apartments and space for one shop.”

In refusing the Development Application, MLPP said it was unsatisfied with the proposed access for goods, services and waste within the new retail premises.

It was also unhappy with the planned southern and northern residential light wells.

In addition, the MLPP said it was not satisfied that “the application has demonstrated that the site is or can be made suitable for the intended use, relevant to site contamination, and that this is not a consideration that can be addressed through a condition of Deferred Commencement.”