Expert Building Design in Forest Glen

Forest Glen is a quiet, semi-rural suburb in the northern part of Hornsby Shire, known for its dense bushland, large lifestyle blocks, and serene setting. Surrounded by nature reserves and native wildlife, Forest Glen appeals to families and landowners looking for space, privacy, and a strong connection to the natural environment.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Forest Glen. Whether you’re creating a brand-new bushland home, planning an extension to an existing dwelling, or adding a second residence on your property, our designs are tailored to the zoning, slope, and bushfire conditions of Forest Glen.

We proudly serve Forest Glen and all of Hornsby Shire—providing compliant, creative, and client-focused building design solutions for rural and environmentally sensitive land.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Forest Glen?

  • Rural Lifestyle Design: Plans that make the most of privacy, tree coverage, and large setbacks

  • Bushfire-Ready Solutions: BAL ratings handled from start to finish—up to BAL-FZ

  • DA Experience in Environmental Zones: We know Hornsby Council’s rules for E4 and RU2 land

  • Nature-Inspired Aesthetics: We design homes that fit with the natural surroundings

  • Seamless Project Support: We manage every step—from initial layout to final DA submission

Our Forest Glen building design projects focus on respecting nature, maximizing outlooks, and ensuring council approval—without delays.

The Hornsby Shire Council Requirements for Building in Forest Glen

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 15m–25m | Side/Rear: 5–10m minimum, varies by lot and zoning

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Typically 10%–13% maximum site coverage depending on slope and zoning

  • Average Block Size:

    • 2,000 sqm to several hectares, often forested or steep

  • Zoning:

    • RU2 Rural Landscape and E4 Environmental Living dominate the area

  • Local Considerations:

    • BAL ratings (BAL 19 to BAL-FZ), strict tree clearing rules, potential for onsite wastewater systems, and slope management

Building in Forest Glen requires careful consideration of zoning overlays, bushfire ratings, and environmental planning policies.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the The Hornsby Shire Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Forest Glen Project?

Most Fiddletown projects fall under a Development Application (DA) due to rural zoning and environmental overlays.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for most new dwellings, major renovations, and second dwellings

  • Assessed by Hornsby Shire Council

  • Requires bushfire, geotechnical, and possibly wastewater reports

  • Greater flexibility for designing to the land

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Limited applicability in Forest Glen

  • May be suitable for sheds or compliant additions only

We’ll evaluate your site and guide you to the most fitting approval pathway.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Forest Glen

  • Yes—many properties in Forest Glen allow a second residence if setbacks, access, and services allow. We’ll assess and design accordingly.

  • It can be. We design with slope stability in mind and collaborate with geotechnical engineers when required.

  • Most projects move from concept to submission in 6–10 weeks, depending on complexity.

  • Not at all—we also work across the entire Hornsby region, including Mount Colah, Hornsby, and Waitara. We're also available for select projects up to 4 hours away from The Hornsby Shire Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

We’re here to help you take the next step—whether you’re planning a brand-new build or modernizing a classic home.

Our Building Design Services in Forest Glen

We design new bushland homes, rural-style extensions, secondary dwellings, granny flats, and compliant structures—all tailored to Forest Glen’s zoning and landscape.

From modest extensions to striking new builds, our Forest Glen building design services help your ideas become reality—stress free.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Explore how we’ve designed rural and environmentally conscious homes across Hornsby Shire.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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From secluded bush homes to family-friendly lifestyle upgrades, our Forest Glen building design services bring vision and value to life.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Forest Glen?

We’re here to help you take the next step—whether you’re planning a brand-new build or modernizing a classic home.

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Forest Glen?

DMR Designs proudly services the entire Hornsby Shire Council area—from the riverside homes of Brooklyn and Berowra Waters to the leafy streets of Beecroft, Wahroonga, and Westleigh. Wherever you're building across the Shire, we bring the same expert process and personalized design approach to every project.