Randwick panel refuses Kingsford boarding house plan

Randwick Local Planning Panel has refused a development application for 1 Borrodale Road, Kingsford, after finding it would create adverse impacts. At its electronic meeting on 11 June 2026, the panel also approved three other development matters in South Coogee, Coogee and Chifley, and deferred one Maroubra application.

The Kingsford proposal, DA/131/2026, sought to convert an existing dwelling house into a boarding house with three single rooms and six double rooms, along with minor internal and external works and regularisation of unauthorised works. The panel refused consent under section 4.16 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Its reasons were detailed. The panel said the proposal was inconsistent with the objectives of the R2 Low Density Residential zone, did not provide the minimum required landscaping area, failed to provide adequate solar access to communal living areas, did not provide the required communal living areas, and had not adequately demonstrated that the site was suitable for the use.

It also said insufficient information had been lodged on acoustic impacts. The panel concluded the development was likely to result in poor amenity for future occupants and unacceptable acoustic impacts.

The panel further found the proposal was not in the public interest. It said the development would set an undesirable precedent by introducing an inappropriate form of high-density residential use and excessive intensification of land use.

The refusal sat alongside approvals for 28 Gregory Street, South Coogee, and 2/105 Brook Street, Coogee. The panel supported alterations and additions to the approved attached dual occupancy at 28 Gregory Street, and granted consent for a new rear terrace to the second floor level of a semi-detached dwelling at 2/105 Brook Street.

At 59 and 59A Hastings Avenue, Chifley, the panel granted deferred commencement consent for regularisation works to an existing attached dual occupancy. It also added a condition requiring revised as-built drawings.

For residents near 1 Borrodale Road, the Kingsford proposal cannot proceed in its current form. The approved sites in South Coogee, Coogee and Chifley are now subject to the consent conditions imposed by the panel.

One matter remains unresolved. The panel deferred its decision on amendments to the development consent for 301 Malabar Road, Maroubra, after saying it wanted further evidence that the original consent had physically commenced before 7 May 2026.

The applicant has 14 days from written notification to provide that material. The panel said it will then reconvene electronically to determine the amending application.