A seniors housing development proposal in the heart of Bowral is back on the agenda.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, residents in the vicinity of the land earmarked for development by ERF Hospice Foundation Ltd are concerned the proposal would be to the detriment of the region's heritage.
The foundation has submitted an amended development application to Wingecarribee Shire Council for 11 Edward Street, Bowral.
READ MORE:
The application is for the construction of 13 dwellings on the site.
It follows a development application by the foundation to council in 2018 for a proposed seniors housing featuring 16, mainly two-storey dwellings.
The 2018 application was refused by council and the applicant lodged an appeal with the Land and Environment Court.
The matter is still before the Land and Environment Court and council is defending its decision. Council's reasoning for refusal includes:
- An unacceptable adverse impact on the heritage significance of the heritage item (a listed cricket pitch) and its contribution to the heritage conservation area
- A adverse impact on the significance of the heritage conservation area
The developer has now submitted an amended plan on exhibition to the public from July 10 to August 14.
The amended application has reinvigorated a community campaign to preserve the heritage of the area.
The site is part of the St Jude's precinct which is within the Bowral Conservation area and contains a council classified heritage item. This item is the historical cricket pitch located on the land at 11 Edward Street.
The cricket pitch was used by Sir Donald Bradman in his school days and the site was also featured in the Ginger Meggs movie.
News of the amended DA has prompted the circulation of a flyer among residents in the precinct urging them to make submissions to council before the closing date of the exhibition period on August 14.
The flyer highlights several concerns regarding the modified proposal. These include:
- The proposal is inconsistent with the intent of the Bowral Conservation Area
- the impact on the heritage-listed cricket pitch
- proposed development would create an undesirable precedent for future development and is not in the public interest
The amended Development Application can be viewed at https://datracker.wsc.nsw.gov.au/Modules/applicationmaster/default.aspx?page=wrapper&key=242364
The Southern Highland News has contacted ERF Hospice Foundation for a comment.
Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.