Plans are underway for the Glenmore Park Town Centre to be expanded, with a Development Application expected to be submitted to Penrith City Council by the end of the year.
At the last Glenmore Park Action Group meeting, AMP Capital Property Development Officer, Vanessa Walker, confirmed that progress was being made in relation to the expansion.
A recent statement sent to the Gazette from Ms Walker says “AMP Capital Shopping Centres continues to work with Penrith City Council in considering opportunities for expansion of Glenmore Park Town Centre.
AMPCSC sees the growth of Glenmore Park and surrounding suburbs as providing the opportunity for an enhanced retail offer for the local community. AMPCSC will continue to work with council aiming to progress to DA lodgement and we’ll advise when that stage has been reached.”
The meeting discussed the options, with the danger of the present Town Terrace Road dividing the shops being of unanimous concern.
Local research shows shoppers want competition for Woolworths, particularly with fresh food, and are keen for the inclusion of a discount department store such as Big W.
AMP Capital has consulted with the GPAG in relation to the look and feel of the new-look centre.
“Glenmore Park Town Centre is a really nice community based centre and moving forward we really want to make sure it retains that town centre role,” Ms Walker said.
It is understood that the Town Centre would still be on one level and there is no intention to introduce a paid parking system, though changes to the parking setup are likely to be discussed. Vanessa answered a local resident’s question, “best case scenario we expect to commence the expansion of the shopping centre by 2011”.
Several members of the community brought up an issue of a road (Town Terrace) that would run through the middle of the centre – similar to the one that separates the new and old sections of Westfield – and its potential pedestrian dangers.This is expected to be a significant issue as the proposal moves forward and the Development Application is submitted to Council.
GPAG Director, Mary Cook asked the room if they preferred Town Terrace to be removed from the plans or kept. 100% of the meeting were against the road staying as part of the extension. GPAG have seen both architect drawings of the proposed development and will be forwarding a written submission and petition to Penrith City Council in support of AMP, to have the new shopping centre absolute rather than having it divided because of the road. Mary Cook had also brought the concerns of the road to the attention at the Penrith Valley Community Safety Partnership meeting last Wednesday.
If you have any suggestions or concerns that can help with the submission please contact Mary Cook at email@gpag.info or visit the website www.gpag.info for more information and updates.
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