HE may have dismissed one description of nine proposed homes behind Newstead as an overdevelopment of the former bowling greens, but councillor Russell Turner says the developer will still need to address a number of concerns.
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The planning committee chairman moved to overturn the recommended refusal for an approval last week, but was later overruled in favour of a deferral.
“I don’t believe it’s an overdevelopment, that’s just an opinion of some people,” he said.
“I think overall it’s a quality development.
“I believe the homes match the other new homes on one of the other former greens, which were in a different application, it’s just the two facing Kite Street and I’m happy the garages proposed are set back adequately.”
However, he agreed the design’s garages and driveways could be softened with landscaping.
Having met with the syndicate Newstead Property Nominees once previously on site, Cr Turner believed there might be a solution to a stormwater problem, which could cause two units’ backyards to fill with water twice a year, without damaging a Deodar cedar.
“It’s up to the developer to prove that,” he said.
He said he moved the approval quickly at last week’s meeting to circumvent a motion for refusal.
“I hope the developer realises that this their last chance to get the approval off the majority of councillors, otherwise it will be next year on a new application and council doesn’t want that, they want to get it resolved as soon as possible,” he said.
The syndicate is owned by former Cabonne mayor Michael Hayes and his brother, Barney.
The pair could not be reached for comment.