Plans are afoot to transform the former Masters site at North St Marys into a health and wellness precinct.
Home Consortium – which acquired Masters’ assets soon after its collapse in 2016 – has lodged a development application (DA) to alter the existing warehouse and car parking area at the vacant Forrester Road site.
To be known as HealthCo, the 3.2 hectare precinct would feature 14 tenancies, including a 138-space childcare centre, medical centre and vet.
Other proposed tenants include a pharmacy, gym, indoor recreation facility, dentist, imaging, physio, pet supplier, specialised retail, health food and coffee kiosks.
According to the recently-submitted DA, the $4.6 million proposal would provide services that are currently in “acute under-supply” in the local area.
“The proposal would transform this ‘gateway’ site into a health and wellness hub to complement neighbouring sporting and recreation facilities, residential and industrial areas and the nearby St Marys Town Centre, which is planned for significant growth in association with the delivery of the Greater Western Metro,” it states.
About 130 jobs are expected to be generated from the redevelopment, while car spaces will increase by five, taking the total number to 372.
“Car parking and loading facilities would make use of the existing infrastructure adjacent to the street frontage, allowing for mature trees within the street setback to be retained,” the DA states.
“New landscaping would also be introduced across the site to enhance its ‘green’ character.”
It comes after a Planning Proposal, which sought to amend the building height standard to support a four-storey residential aged care facility and organic grocer on the site, was knocked back by Penrith Council.
The Planning Proposal, which was lodged in July 2020, was subsequently withdrawn in October.
Home Consortium has already revitalised the former Masters site at Penrith, which is now home to a number of established lifestyle brands.
Woolworths sunk about $3.25 billion into its failed foray into the home improvement sector before it shut Masters’ doors back in 2016.
Alena Higgins is the Weekender’s Senior News Reporter, primarily covering courts and Council issues.
