It is a futuristic, 83-storey tower and it may never see the light of day.

Planning officials have ruled it is more important for Parramatta residents to have access to the winter sun during lunchtime - a decision developers and their representatives say could cruel attempts to establish the area as Sydney's second CBD.

The latest project to be threatened by the re-imposition of over-shadowing rules is the proposed Holdmark tower, set to soar 266 metres over Parramatta from its slated Church Street address.

The developer this week released the design of sleek building, which was the subject of an international design competition.