Bayside Council has chosen its preferred option for the future Brighton-le-Sands Masterplan which could see high-rise of at least ten-storeys along The Grand Parade.
The aim of the masterplan is to consider a range of issues to guide the future planning and design of the area.
A council working party set up to oversee the masterplan has identified a ten-storey built form along The Grand Parade as being the minimum building height to be economically viable.
In 2017, Bayside Council undertook a review of the the Brighton-le-Sands centre.
The review found that while the centre is a weekly shopping destination for residents and includes entertainment and eateries, there was a low vacancy rate for commercial and retail shopfronts and that additional retail space may be needed.
A study of similar beachside centres found a number of principles which could be applied to enhance Brighton-le-Sands.
This included an increased pedestrian-friendly environment with wider footpaths, more seating and informal areas, reduced traffic flow and noise pollution, increased public transport options and more short-term and free parking.
Last February, the council adopted the Brighton-le-Sands parking strategy and resolved to prioritise the preparation of the Brighton-le-Sands Masterplan.
The council formed a working party made up of councillors and council staff and engaged GM Urban Design and Architecture (GMU) to prepare a masterplan.
The Masterplan study area was bordered by the Grand Parade on the east, Bruce Street to the north, President Avenue to the south and Crawford Road to the west.
GMU came back to the council's working party with two options for the masterplan.
Option 1 proposed a high-density spine along Bay Street and The Grand Parade.
Option 2 proposed a high-density spine along Bay Street and The Grand Parade and a green reserve to the west.
The working party chose Option 1 as the preferred masterplan option and identified the area for stage one of the masterplan which will be considered as part of the Bayside Local Strategic Planning Statement.
This includes a high-density spine along Bay Street and The Grand Parade with lower height and density in other areas.
There would be mixed used development with active frontages along Bay Street and The Grand Parade within 400-metres of the core area.
And there would be retention of the existing three-storey walk-up precinct, mainly to the south of Bay Street.
Future investigations will consider amending the Stage 1 boundary of the masterplan area to include part of Crawford Road, Kurnell Street and England Street.
While the working party report found that a ten-story built form along The Grand Parade has been identified as being the minimum building height to be economically viable, it also said further investigations will be needed on overshadowing impacts on buildings and open space, specifically the foreshore.
The draft masterplan is expected to be public exhibition in July.