The Planning Place obtained approval (Application Number: A005375910) to amend an existing 2003 Development Approval for a Reconfiguration of Lot (3 into 2 lots) and Material Change of Use for Shop, Restaurant and Caretaker’s Flat, on a site at 409 Esplanade, Manly. The proposed change application sought to include a new use for an ‘Outdoor Dining Area’ associated with the existing Food and Drink Outlet (café restaurant), along with changes to the approved plans and associated conditions. The proposal involved removal of three (3) undercover parking spaces to replace with outdoor dining area, consolidating two (2) external visitor car parks into one (1) persons with disability (PWD) car space, reducing the total number of on-site visitor car spaces for from five (5) to one (1) space. The proposal resulted in an additional gross floor area (GFA) of 44.6m2.

Given the nature of the proposed changes and possible new impacts, the proposal was not considered a minor change under section 81 of the Planning Act 2016 (PA). As such, the application process required making a ‘Other Change’ under Section 82 of the PA. As the original application was impact assessable, a public notification process was required for the Section 82 (PA) change application. The change application was supported with a noise impact assessment to demonstrate the proposal can achieve an adequate level of noise amenity, and an RPEQ traffic impact assessment to justify the proposal’s shortfall of on-site parking spaces and recommendations to ensure the reconfigured car park space meets current standards.