A high-profile planning application for Southlands National Park was pulled from the agenda of the Development Applications Board before it could be debated.

The proposal, which includes the creation of a café, public parking, walking trails and improved beach access, had been included in the agenda for the DAB’s Wednesday meeting with a recommendation for refusal.

However, according to the minutes of the meeting, the application was pulled from the agenda with no reason for the change of plans stated.

The DAB is scheduled to meet again on July 29 but the agenda for that session has yet to be released.

The planning application, submitted last year, focused on works on the portion of the park south of South Road with a public parking area proposed for the western side of the area and a café overlooking South Shore.

The application said: “It is envisaged that the proposed improvement/development scheme will be accorded the appropriate attention and support to enable the transformation of the national park for beneficial use for all.”

The proposal, however, garnered dozens of objections with environmental groups, neighbours and members of the public voicing opposition to its scale and the lack of an overarching management plan for the park.

The National Parks Commission also declined to support the proposal, with technical officers for the Department of Planning recommending the application be refused in a report signed this week.

The application was one of several submitted for Southlands, which was obtained by the Government in 2010 as part of a land swap and declared a national park in 2017.

In 2022, the Government conducted an online survey that asked the public how the property could be improved, with suggestions including restrooms, a café, a restaurant, a visitor centre, gift shop, beach concession and picnic areas.

An application to convert one derelict building on the property into a new office for the Mirrors Programme received the green light — as have plans to construct a seawall to prevent erosion of the parks coastline.

However, a plan to convert a vacant storage area and garage in the park into a single-bedroom apartment was refused, along with another to use a separate derelict building as a meeting and events space.

The DAB also struck down a proposal to establish a zip-line attraction at the park. However, the applicant has launched an appeal, which has yet to be decided.