Sky’s the limiting factor for Kings

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS

Local residents have slammed suggestions that planning and height restrictions need to be removed in order to attract high rise development in Kings Cross.

On Saturday, Vicki Laing of Laing Real Estate told Fairfax media that the suburb “has the potential to be a very good residential hub with the right kind of development”.

Ms Laing said there would “have to be change in the planning laws” in the area, including a removal of height limitations.

Ms Laing’s proposal to create a ‘mini Manhattan’ has been criticised by local resident action group, The 2011 Residents Association.

Convener of the association, Helen Crossing, told City Hub that the area had been subject to changes in height restrictions under numerous governments, and said the neighbourhood should not be subject to the wishes of developers who “would not have tolive with the consequences”.

Ms Crossing said that she was worried the ‘vital’ greenspace in the area would be compromised by high rise development.

“The green needs to be on the ground, because there is problems with noise transfer. We need to remember if you create high buildings, you lose sunlight.”

“I think the key thing for everyone is preserving the village atmosphere [and] maintaining diversity among the residents.”

Ms Crossing said that the Association had a diverse group of members, like the local neighbourhood.

Previously popular Kings Cross nightclub “Goldfish” opened as an apartment showroom over the weekend.

On Sunday, some visitors to the showroom, which was exhibiting apartments planned for the current Mercure Hotel site on Darlinghurst Road, were slightly baffled and scared by the screams of the local homeless population who occupy the strip during thedaylight hours.

City Hub understands that one typical 100 sqm apartment in the development, which did not have a harbour view, would cost $3 million.