The application would see 24 serviced apartments at its 35-year-old Glenaeon retirement village in Belrose demolished to make way for four new buildings with 60 units along with a new two-storey, 102-bed aged care facility to be operated by Catholic Healthcare.

Lendlease says the redevelopment is needed to bring the village in line with modern standards and future market expectations. Both residents and members of the community have submitted petitions in support of the project with “the Renewal proposal receiving an 83 per cent yes vote with 94 per cent of residents participating,” it states.

They add that the Northern Beaches is currently undersupplied for retirement living and aged care options with market research studies confirming a growing demand for senior’s housing in the locality and a need for an extra 2,300 new places by 2036 to meet population targets set by the Greater Sydney Commission.

The Glenaeon Residents’ Committee has also submitted a letter of support, saying the redevelopment will save on the emotional stress of residents having to leave their community, by allowing them access to a continuum of care in the one location as they age. The average age of residents in the village is 81.

“It is not just the provision of aged care, but also the quality of aged care which is so very important. The Residents of Glenaeon believe this proposal would help ensure a much better future for them and also provide a needed capacity for the broader community.”