Pathways Leura Village Seniors Housing

I am writing to support the submission as I have lived and really loved the Leura Village for over 40 years.
I have seen many changes since I have been associated with the beautiful upper mountains, and especially in the Villages surrounding Katoomba . It has been wonderful to see these changes and see people coming back to renovate both the houses and gardens that we are so lucky to so close to Sydney. We are served by a train line that is improving with new trains (at last) and being so close to Parramatta now a second CBD, and really such an easy drive. The location of The Ritz, provides such easy access for both employees and visitors alike, and makes the Leura Village a very pleasant destination.
This area has always attracted retirees, and so many people that have enjoyed bringing their families to the areas over the years, for the peace, the wonderful walks and our stunning views. We even have 4 quite distinct seasons all only 2 hours from Sydney.
We have all hoped that a revamp of our hospital may be on the cards, but in the meantime, I do hope your submission to have a Pathways Retirement Village is accepted. The mountains has been a beautiful destination and having had a mother-in-law happily as a resident in one of your villages in Killara for many years I think, I can attest Pathways could be a huge asset to the town. the location at The Ritz, could not be better situated. I can honestly say she was well cared for and indeed very happy in your care.
I hope you can keep me updated with how things are going, Kind
> Regards,
Ann Downer

Linda Allan
23 Wascoe Street Leura NSW 2780

I have lived at 23 Wascoe Street Leura for 42 years & know most of the Katoomba / Leura area.

I am also thoroughly familiar with the grounds of the Ritz Hotel, later used as a nursing home.

I have traversed every metre of the property on numerous occasions, from the old Tennis courts that faced Wascoe Street. to the dilapidated Manager’s House, to the two Leura Mall driveway and parking entrances.

My concern extends beyond the proposed destruction of Wascoe Street. This has been well discussed by many others.

I also make no further comment regarding the consistently ignored claims of future traffic chaos & lack of any planning by Pathways Developers and consultants.

My concern is for the wider Leura / Katoomba area and its unique & picturesque environment. The historic Ritz Hotel is a landmark; visible from The Alexandra Hotel on the Highway, from Leura Railway Station & from the crest of Lovell and Gang Gang Streets, Katoomba.

The Pathways proposal must be called out for what it would be a blight on Katoomba, & an insult to the intact Edwardian shops and centre in Leura Mall, and areas & streets that are close & also distant from the mall hub

The historic Ritz Hotel sits on a gradual, but significant, land rise, evident when Miner’s cottage sites directly opposite are studied.
So too, the single storey, dilapidated Manager’s House, looking down upon Megalong Street at the same miners’ cottages opposite.
The Ritz land starts to rise slowly and significantly near the Wascoe / Megalong Streets intersection.

Is it so very hard to imagine how a highly visible, massive edifice could look sitting atop bare & already naturally well elevated land? Driving, walking, down Megalong Street hill, it will appear to be another storey higher than the 3-storey building design. And with none of the Ritz Hotel whimsy & bygone era charm.

Leura is “on the map “& clearly identified on line as a recommended international tourist attraction, on multiple sites. It does not need the towering bulk of the proposed Pathways utility.

The entire area, the Ritz Hotel site, plus lands within the Central Leura Urban Conservation Area and well beyond it, need to be respected — not despoiled — for this, and future generations.

Please see comments provided below in regard to the SSD for the Ritz site Leura

Please find enclosed an objection to the current proposal.
This objection is submitted on behalf of my elderly parents, owners of 225 Leura Mall, an immediate neighbouring property to the Pathways site.

We hope that Pathways succeeds in building a world-class facility for Seniors Housing on the Ritz site in a way that cares for its residents and also takes into full consideration the welbeing of its closest neighbours and the village of Leura. The design, as it stands, does not do this. It is above regulation height, it is beyond regulation setback and it crowds and overshadows its neighbours to the south in an unreasonable way. Please see our detailed response to the Plans.

This is a positive project and I am delighted that the Ritz will be tidied up and used for seniors housing.
My concern is lack of additional parking for the Pathways development.
Leura has limited community parking available now and this project appears to require a significant number of additional parking spaces for both staff and visitors to the new facility. The streets adjacent to the Ritz will be overused for the additional parking required and this will place local residents from these streets under unnecessary pressure should they need parking for their own visitors.

I am disappointed with Pathways. The previous owner The Ritz used The Mall for all services deliveries and parking entry for staff and visitors and emergency vehicles including Fire Police and Ambulance. Currently Pathways has not been explored an alternative option other than Wascoe Street. Wascoe Street is such a small narrowing unyielding street. It is currently difficult for 2 vehicles to pass each other without pulling over to the left for one vehicle to pass.
Please confirm my attachment Thank You

Please refer to the attached documents.

I support the development