Submissions closed on Monday for a draft scoping study of Lucknow, which featured a village heart with an additional speciality retail precinct, enhanced landscaping, pedestrian pathways and parking along the main street, and a refurbished Wentworth Mine.

It also included additional housing on both the northern and southern sides of the Mitchell Highway.

Orange City Council spokesman Nick Redmond said 14 submissions had been received and while most supported measures to enhance the commercial parts of Lucknow, some expressed concerns about the degree of residential development.

Among them was Chapel Hill Lane resident Daniel Taurins, who used his submission with partner Natalee Selwood to oppose the loss of land, privacy and ambience from the surrounding rural landscape from more than 100 houses.

“It would be nice to think they would [listen to our concerns],” he said.

Neighbour Kerry Cisco said she remained undecided on residential development, but did not believe she would be as affected as she first thought.

“When we bought here, we didn’t realise people rode up and down the fence line on motorbikes - housing would take that away, which would make the area quieter,” she said.

“They suggested below us would be mostly green space and I’m all for that.”

Fellow neighbour and Lucknow community committee member Bruce Heinrich said the committee had never discussed residential development, but it would not happen overnight.

“If you’re going to develop a residential area, you’ve got to have people and you’ve got to have work for them,” he said.

Mr Redmond emphasised the housing was still only an idea and any further rezoning or master planning would be subject to further consultation.

“We had to start somewhere,” he said.

“Some elements might need to be changed to meet the requirements of the submissions.”

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au