Cumberland panel backs four housing-related projects, each with Clause 4.6 planning variations

The Cumberland Local Planning Panel has approved four development applications across Auburn, South Granville and Merrylands, with every approval involving support for a Clause 4.6 request to vary a planning standard under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021.

Public minutes from the panel's 11 February meeting show the approved projects were a secondary dwelling above a garage at 23 Maranoa Street, Auburn, a detached secondary dwelling at 385 Blaxcell Street, South Granville, a four-storey co-living housing development at 72 Newman Street, Merrylands, and amendments to a mixed-use development spanning sites on Merrylands Road and Cambridge Street in Merrylands.

At 23 Maranoa Street, the panel approved conversion of an existing outbuilding into a double garage with storage and a bathroom, plus a secondary dwelling above it. At 385 Blaxcell Street, it approved demolition of a garage, shed and awning and construction of a detached secondary dwelling with a single carport.

The Merrylands approvals were larger in scale. The panel approved a four-storey co-living development at 72 Newman Street with 17 single rooms, two double rooms and at-grade parking. It also approved changes to an earlier mixed-use approval at 298 Merrylands Road, 302 Merrylands Road, 2A Cambridge Street and 2 Cambridge Street, including an additional storey with eight units, changes to unit layouts, basement and ground-floor commercial tenancies, and provision of affordable housing.

The variations supported by the panel covered parking, minimum lot size, building height and landscaped area requirements. In each case, the panel said the applicant's written request had adequately addressed Clause 4.6 tests and, subject to conditions, the proposals would not have unreasonable impacts on neighbouring properties or the locality.

For residents, the decisions clear the way for more housing on existing sites, including two secondary dwellings, a 19-room co-living project and extra units within the amended Merrylands mixed-use development. The South Granville approval also carries a specific parking condition, requiring amended plans to show a car space at least 2.7 metres wide before a construction certificate is issued.

The approvals were granted subject to conditions listed in the attached schedules or assessment report. The minutes also state that people who lodged submissions on the Newman Street and Merrylands mixed-use applications, and submitters for relevant applications, are to be notified of the determinations.