Heritage Concerns and Housing Affordability
Conquest, a prominent developer, has plans to construct two luxury towers at 100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag. Announced on 21st April 2026, this proposal intends to replace a previously approved smaller development with 12 to 14-storey towers, significantly increasing the number of apartments from 38 to 150.
Opposition from the Castlecrag Progress Association (CPA) centers on the threat to the suburb's heritage. Castlecrag, designed by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, holds unique architectural significance that the proposed towers would overshadow.
Affordability is a major concern as the new proposal includes only 10 affordable homes, located over four kilometers from the nearest train station. This raises questions about its contribution to housing affordability, contradicting the NSW Housing Delivery Authority's goals for well-located, affordable housing.
Community Response to Development Plans
Residents have just 14 days to respond to the plans, which were placed on public exhibition. Tim Donahoo, the CPA's Secretary, criticised the absence of community consultation, emphasizing, "This planning proposal is not a minor variation; it is a wholesale rewrite of what was already agreed with the community without any genuine consultation."
In the past, the CPA collaborated with developers to ensure projects fit Castlecrag's heritage. However, Conquest's plan appears to disregard these efforts and the suburb's architectural importance.
Submissions about the proposal can be made through the NSW Government Planning Portal. The CPA urges community members to voice their concerns during the exhibition period, emphasizing the need for developments to respect Castlecrag’s historical context.
Originally, the site was set for a 38-apartment development by Greencliff, a project that underwent years of planning and community consultation. This previous proposal was backed by the community and aligned with Willoughby Council and the Sydney North Planning Panel's guidelines.
By contrast, Conquest's project significantly increases the scale of development, echoing the controversial Blues Point Tower style. The CPA argues that such a project fails to meet the objectives set by the NSW Housing Delivery Authority, particularly in terms of location and affordability.
The suburb of Castlecrag, uniquely planned by Griffin and Mahony Griffin, is celebrated for integrating architecture with the natural landscape. The CPA stresses that this essence is at risk if the Conquest plan proceeds without substantial modification.
