Reservations about new 37-room hotel
Harbord Hotel’s rezoning proposal to allow separate accommodation has meant sleepless nights for locals, with the majority of the 80-plus submissions opposed to a new 37-room hotel.
If rezoning is approved, the business will submit a development application for a 37-room, three-storey hotel (with gym and swimming pool) at the rear of the main building on the 29 Moore Road site, which would mean the demolition of the building at 64 Undercliffe Road – and its affordable housing units.
Many submissions criticised the lack of community engagement on the proposal. “The council only contacted a small group of residents immediately impacted by the development,” stated Friends of Freshwater (FoF) in its submission. “This proposal affects a much broader area.”
This issue was also raised in other submissions, and in response council extended the consultation date.
FoF suggested that short-term accommodation might boost local business and increase the availability of longer-term leases, but raised concerns about too many hotel rooms, noise from the pool, additional traffic and the loss of affordable housing.
Others were concerned that the rezoning could set a precedent for future development.
The hotel said that an extra 49 parking spaces were planned and that moving it underground should minimise disruption for residents. It also said it gets regular inquiries about accommodation.
Currently, visitors have accommodation options in Brookvale such as the 120-room Mercure, and about 13 Airbnb choices in Freshwater.
Glenn Piper bought the Harbord Hotel in 2020, subsequently refurbished it, and it was awarded NSW’s Best Local Hotel in 2022.
Mr Piper told PL: “Since taking on the custodianship, we’ve been dedicated to preserving its legacy as a proud cornerstone of the community for nearly 100 years. We’ve approached this responsibility with great care, ensuring every improvement is thoughtfully planned and gradually introduced.
“Our ongoing commitment is to not only create a vibrant destination for the local community, but also to strengthen the hotel’s role in the Northern Beaches by providing much-needed short-term accommodation, supporting the local economy, and enriching the area’s vitality.
Council is prepring a report.
