A Development Application (DA) for a Taco Bell, El Jannah and Hungry Jacks in Cranebrook will now go to the NSW Land and Environment Court after Penrith City Council refused it.
The $8 million multi-use proposal, which was slated for the Waterside industrial area, also planned to include a 100-place childcare centre, a swim school, and a service station with a car wash.
The Weekender first reported on the proposal in November last year.
The DA was submitted by the applicant Isaac Property Developments for the subject site on the corner of Andrews Road and Renshaw Street in November last year.
The Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) said the food and drink premises would be able to operate 24 hours a day.
It would deliver Penrith’s second El Jannah restaurant and its first Taco Bell.
“The proposed development aims to provide convenient and accessible goods and services for the local Cranebrook and broader Penrith community,” the SEE said.
“The proposal is considered to be in the public interest as it will develop an underutilised site at the entrance to the Waterside industrial area while delivering a number of public, social and economic benefits with minimal adverse impacts.”
The document also highlighted the service station would be run by convenience retailer and South Australian family business On The Run (OTR) that has 145 stores.
“OTR is seeking to expand their offerings into the state of NSW with this particular site in Cranebrook to be one of the first OTR service stations in Metropolitan NSW,” it said.
“OTR at Cranebrook will provide a point of difference from traditional service station developments due to the added benefit of a drive-through attached to the control building.”
The proposed development was set to feature 128 car parking spaces and bicycle racks for 20 bikes.
Under the Penrith Local Environmental Plan 2010 the, site in question is zoned IN2 Light Industrial.
With Penrith Council refusing consent, a Major Assessment Report stated that the proposal does not meet key objectives of the light industrial zone to provide a wide range of light industrial, warehouse and related land uses.
The proposed land uses were also deemed incompatible and was predicted to result in negative impacts relating to traffic, amenity, noise and safety.
That leaves the developer with the option of taking the matter to court, which it has confirmed it will do.
An Isaac Property Developments spokesperson told the Weekender that the development would be a great addition to the community if the court process proves successful in the future.
“We are delivering a convenience retail hub for the local community with a focus on family-oriented amenities, including a learn to swim school and childcare centre,” the spokesperson said.
“Our development will deliver a number of public, social and economic benefits for the area including the creation of approximately 400 job opportunities once under construction as well as injecting approximately $15 million into the local economy.”
Emily Feszczuk
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.