Sydney South Planning Panel has refused a proposed major housing development on the former Caringbah High School site.

In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, the panel found amendments made to the plans had not sufficiently addressed issues raised previously by the panel and council, and the opportunity the site presented had not been realised.

The panel found it was not a suitable type of development for the site, and approval was not in the public interest.

More to come.

Earlier

A final decision is due to be made on a developer’s long-running attempt to gain approval for a new housing estate on a former Caringbah High School site.

Sydney South Planning Panel deferred a decision in May last year to give the applicant a chance to respond to concerns.

The panel will meet in Sutherland today (Wednesday) to hear final submissions before determining the matter.

An assessment report by Sutherland Shire Council has recommended, for the second time, the application be refused.

A concept master plan, released in 2016, included 17 residential flat buildings ranging in height from five to nine stories.

There would be 656 units and 1181 basement car parking spaces in the development, named Highfield – the original name for the suburb.

Under the plans, Caringbah Bowling Club would be included in the development, with a new clubhouse and greens.

The planning panel has to decide when it meets on Wednesday whether to give the “green light” to the masterplan and the first stage of the project, which includes 124 apartments.

The council report said, “in an effort to assist the applicant in developing the proposal to a point where it could be supported, council provided feedback and met with the applicant on various occasions to resolve the outstanding issues”.

“Despite these efforts, critical issues that were raised when the proposal was initially lodged with council, such as the proper integration of the bowling club site into the masterplan scheme, remain outstanding.

“Council did not wish to delay reporting the proposal back to the panel any longer, and as such the proposal is reported on the basis of the material which has been submitted to date.”

Previous stories

Plans for former Caringbah High School site

Back to drawing board for former school site