A fresh proposal to develop a housing estate behind Caddens Corner shopping centre has been met with major backlash from locals.
Property Developer Holdmark Property Group put forward a Development Application (DA) to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in 2023, proposing to build multi-storey blocks of flats in the space behind Caddens Corner, including the existing open air car park.
The DA was denied last year.
Now, the developer has amended their mixed-use proposal to include townhouses, multi-storey buildings and a civic centre and are asking the Caddens community for feedback before they bring the proposal back to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
Claremont Meadows resident and wildlife advocate Zoe Schmidt strongly opposed the original development, saying it didn’t fit within the area.
“There are no flats around here, we are a sleepy sort of suburb, and our demographic is families,” Schmidt explained.
“I fought pretty hard to get that knocked back and Penrith City Council were very supportive of that, and I thank them for that.
“Now, they’ve [the developer] come back with a revised development.
“I always knew they were going to; they’ve paid a lot of money to buy that area there.”
With the Westwood Estate to one side and Caddens Hill Quarter to the other, the proposed development would be the third housing estate in the immediate area around Caddens Corner.
Of major concern to Schmidt is the impact the development will have on the native animals that live in the area, specifically kangaroos.
“People move to Penrith because it is a little bit more rural, particularly in Caddens and Orchard Hills. We’ve seen people move here to get away from the rat race,” Schmidt said.
“I am really against the development because of our native animals that we have here. Those kangaroos have lived here for a million years.
“We watch them have their babies; everybody stops and pulls over on the side of the road.
“I just love where I live, and I just love the animals. I love it that I can come to the shops and on my way home see some kangaroos and some joeys!
“They are just going to come in and whack a million new houses in and destroy all the good stuff that we have.
“Somebody needs to be a big mouth and stick their neck out a bit and I’m alright to do it.”
Holdmark Property Group said protecting the environment would be a top priority if their development is given the go ahead.
“Our proposed plans protect the existing Cumberland Woodland forest on the boundary of our proposed development site and include multiple publicly accessible green spaces, the retention of a high number of existing trees on site, and the introduction of new trees across the proposed development,” a spokesperson for Holdmark Property Group said.
“Our consideration of the environment in our development will improve wildlife corridors for native animals through sustainable design and deep consideration of local plant selection.
“The street network to be introduced, should the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) be approved, takes into consideration the interaction between people, vehicles and local wildlife with reduced speed limits proposed and improved pedestrian and cycling connections throughout our site.
“As part of our technical investigations, and in accordance with the issued SEARs, Holdmark has sought the advice of a biodiversity specialist to conduct a study into impacts on kangaroos and other wildlife found on our proposed development site at Caddens. While the study is still underway, we can advise the final report will be considered in our planning for the site and appended to the State Significant Development Application when it is submitted.”
To view the plans for Caddens Corner Stage 2 visit http://www.holdmark.com.au/project/caddens-corner-stage-2.
A community survey can also be completed on the site.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.