Planning NSW Pushes back on 300 Burns Bay Road Towers — Developer Lodges Seperate Demolition DA

Planning NSW informed the developer of 300 Burns Bay Road that the proposed 15-storey, 225-apartment design constitutes an overdevelopment of the site and must be substantially redesigned.

This pushback from Planning NSW has not deterred the developer, who lodged a separate State Significant Development application for early works: demolition, site preparation, tree removal, earthworks, services augmentation, and land remediation.

If the early works development application is approved, demolition could proceed regardless of the outcome of the main development application.  Locals have raised concerns with In the Cove that 32 Trees are being removed, and not all of them may need to be removed if the design is substantially altered.

What was Planning NSW’s response to the Developer?

The development was endorsed by the Housing Development Authority after the developer submitted an Expression of Interest for apartment towers of 12 – 13 storeys.

By a letter dated 26 May 2026, Planning NSW told the developer that the proposed 15-storey, 225-apartment development was an overdevelopment of the site and must be substantially redesigned.

Planning NSW raised the following issues:

• Height: The proposed three towers (up to 54.5m) were “excessive”. NSW Planning had said any new design should stay within the original envelope of 41.3m (12–13 storeys), and a two-tower scheme may be needed
• Floor Space Ratio: The proposed 3.22:1 FSR must come down to at least 3.1:1 or possibly lower
• Solar access: 19% of apartments would receive no direct sunlight in midwinter. They asked the developer to comply with the Apartment Design Guide Limit of 15%
• View loss: Apartments at 292–298 Burns Bay Road face substantial to total loss of river views
• Privacy: Towers A and B were too close to their neighbours on the northern side
• Pedestrian access: The northern entry to Towers B and C was not supported due to excessive stairs, poor sight lines, and inadequate surveillance
• Traffic and parking:  Concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of the submitted traffic and transport assessment, particularly having regard to the cumulative impacts associated with the scale, density and site constraints. The visitor parking was not in line with the Lane Cove Council Development Control Plan  requirement of 57 spaces

Planning NSW said it “would welcome the opportunity to meet with the applicant” to discuss a path forward.

The Developer was required to respond to Planning NSW by 23 June 2026.  As of today’s date (28 June 2026), a response has not been uploaded to the Planning NSW Major Projects Site.

Early Works Development Application

On 17 June 2026, the Developer lodged an application for early works:

The works include:

• Site establishment works including: − Erection of site hoarding, fencing and signage − Installation of site office and amenities
• The demolition of all existing structures at the site, comprising: − Office Building − Warehouse − Car Parking structure
• Removal of 32 trees
• Shoring and bulk excavation works to enable the excavation of basement levels;
• Extension and augmentation of services and infrastructure as required.

Residents can make a submission on the proposed early works.  The submission closing date is 1 July 2026.

Make a submission here