Town planning · Lane Cove NSW
Town planning in Lane Cove. Read the local character.
Lane Cove town centre and St Leonards station (shared with North Sydney and Willoughby) appear on the NSW nominated LMR list. Eligibility depends on an 800-metre walking route, zoning, statutory exclusions and whether precinct or TOD controls apply to the land. We provide site feasibility, PPRs, DA and SEE services, CD Planning Assessments, BASIX and NatHERS.
Current housing provisions
Low and Mid-Rise Housing in Lane Cove
The NSW Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy (LMR), under Chapter 6 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021, provides additional opportunities for eligible sites within generally 800 metres walking distance of nominated centres and stations. This is not a straight-line radius, and statutory zoning, exclusions and the actual pedestrian route must be checked.
Lane Cove town centre and St Leonards station (shared with North Sydney and Willoughby) appear on the NSW nominated LMR list. Eligibility depends on an 800-metre walking route, zoning, statutory exclusions and whether precinct or TOD controls apply to the land.
NSW Government reference
The LMR map shows indicative catchments. Individual eligibility requires an assessment of the current Housing SEPP and mapping.
Explore the NSW LMR Housing mapOfficial centre selection
2 nominated LMR locations
These are the nominated centres and stations identified for Lane Cove by the NSW Government. A location on the list is not a site approval or evidence of compliance with another planning instrument.
Official source: NSW Planning — LMR nominated locations.
Statutory planning controls
Lane Cove LEP 2009 and Lane Cove DCP
Lane Cove LEP 2009 commenced on 19 February 2010; the Lane Cove DCP commenced on 22 February 2010. The DCP has detailed residential, commercial, local character, accessibility and environmental provisions. Locality requirements and State planning instruments need checking against the actual property.
Land application maps, operative amendments, any mapped precinct boundaries and the proposed type of development must be checked. An address alone does not identify every applicable control.
Applicable standards may depend on local and State instruments, site constraints and any transitional provisions. We recommend verifying these before making substantial design commitments.
Local planning considerations
St Leonards South and established residential streets
St Leonards South has its own planning and built-form context. Elsewhere in Lane Cove, steep topography, protected tree canopy, landscaped area, heritage and residential amenity shape feasibility. A nearby station alone cannot establish the permissible density or development standard for a particular property.
These issues may require additional survey information, civil engineering advice or other specialist reports, depending on the nature of the proposed works and approval pathway.
Issues to identify early
Site considerations affecting feasibility
Mature trees and canopy
Assess vegetation protection, landscaping, deep soil and bushland interfaces.
Sloping sites
Review driveway grades, retaining walls and stormwater disposal.
Heritage and character
Consider conservation areas and locality-specific residential provisions.
St Leonards precinct mapping
Verify any special built-form, centre or TOD controls for the particular site.
Planning consultancy services
How we can assist in Lane Cove
Preliminary Planning Reports (PPRs)
Identify development opportunities, zoning, controls, likely approval pathways and key site risks. Explore planning advice.
Site and housing feasibility
Review LMR applicability where relevant, land-use permissibility, mapped planning constraints and the appropriate initial development strategy.
Development Applications and SEE
Prepare Statements of Environmental Effects, review consultant reports and plans, and assist with DA compilation and lodgement under the agreed scope. Explore DA services.
CD Planning Assessments
Review relevant Codes SEPP planning provisions for CDC applications to Building Certifiers. Explore CD Planning Assessments.
Planning Approvals prepares compliance advice and CD Planning Assessments, but does not issue CDCs. A Building Certifier independently determines whether the statutory requirements are met and whether a CDC may be issued. LMR Housing permissibility does not automatically create a CDC pathway. Find a Certifier on the NSW Government register.
In-house sustainability services
BASIX and Accredited NatHERS assessments
Planning Approvals provides in-house BASIX services and thermal assessments by an Accredited NatHERS Assessor. Services include BASIX certification, NatHERS ratings and practical advice about glazing, insulation and construction materials. Explore BASIX and NatHERS services.
Our approach
Establish the pathway first.
Resolve important controls before detailed development design.
Site controls
Check zoning, LEP, DCP, State policies, planning maps and constraints.
Planning feasibility
Assess development standards, design issues and information requirements.
Assessment documents
Prepare agreed PPR, SEE or CD Planning Assessment and recommendations.
Common questions
Planning questions in Lane Cove.
Which local planning controls apply to my property?
Lane Cove LEP 2009 and Lane Cove DCP are the starting point, subject to the land application mapping and any separate State policies or local precinct controls.
Does Low and Mid-Rise Housing allow my development?
No automatic entitlement arises from a suburb name or map. The nominated-centre walking-distance test, zoning, exclusions and statutory provisions must be assessed.
What should we check before detailed design?
Assess vegetation protection, landscaping, deep soil and bushland interfaces. Review driveway grades, retaining walls and stormwater disposal. A Preliminary Planning Report can help establish the important planning issues early.
Can you assist with a Development Application or Statement of Environmental Effects?
Yes. We offer planning advice, SEE preparation, review of consultant information and DA documentation/lodgement assistance by engagement.
Can Planning Approvals issue a CDC?
No. We prepare CD Planning Assessments for Building Certifiers, who independently determine whether a CDC may be issued.
Lane Cove · Project enquiry
Considering a project in Lane Cove?
Tell us the address and proposed development so we can outline a suitable planning assessment.