The proposal was for a two-storey building which would include supermarket space and a liquor store on level one, and three specialty retail tenancies on the ground floor, on the corner of Lackey Road and the Illawarra Highway.

The development application (DA) for the retail complex was refused by council based on traffic and flooding issues, in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

The refusal also mentioned the impacts the proposed development would have on the immediate streetscape and character of the area.

Council group manager of planning, development and regulatory services Nick Wilton said traffic concerns had been a key issue.

“One of the major hurdles with the current proposal was the impacts the proposed development would have on traffic in and around the site,” he said.

“The immediate area around the intersection of Argyle Street and Lackey Road was of particular concern.”

Based on the traffic impacts the proposed development would have on the area, the NSW Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) informed council it could not support the application in its current form and would not issue approval under the Roads Act 1993.

The applicant for the proposed development (Milestone) was notified of the refusal on November 21.

If an amended development application is submitted to council to address the concerns raised in the refusal, council would be obligated to accept a new development application for the site.

Alternatively, the applicant has the right to refer the matter to the New South Wales Land and Environment Court.

Following council’s refusal of the development application, the Southern Highland News contacted Woolworths for comment about future plans to build a supermarket in Moss Vale.

However, at the time of print, a response had not been provided.