A spokeswoman for The Hills Shire Council said a layer of asphalt needed to be temporarily removed for the council to proceed with Castle Hill Main Street Project.

``The concrete sub-grade underneath had to be exposed so that the council can proceed with adjustments to the kerb and gutter in order to widen footpaths and create the alfresco dining areas and other features,'' she said.

The news comes after The Hills Shire Council approved a plan for the nearby Crane Road Precinct.

The precinct is held by two landowners.

They presented the council with their plans for the area.

One of the landowners has the commercial land (the tyre outlet, tattoo parlour and commercial building) and the other owns the residential land (Mobil petrol station).

Both landowners suggested that the petrol station be replaced by a four-storey residential development.

The rest of the triangular block is zoned for commercial, retail and residential development.

This could include cafes, chemists, banks, restaurants, a medical consultancy and a hotel or serviced apartments.

Buildings will have a maximum height of 18 storeys and will be limited to seven storeys on the corner of Crane Road and Old Northern Road and four storeys at the intersection of Old Northern Road and Terminus Street.

A design competition will be required for any development taller than 13 storeys.

All parking will be below ground level.