A PLANNED expansion of Spring Hill east of the railway line has been put on hold after residents objected to the proposal.
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Orange councillors approved the Spring Hill master plan on Tuesday night, which included infill development within the current village limits and improvements to public open spaces, the entries to the village, footpaths and guttering, and access between different parts of the town.
Of the 32 public submissions, most supported those components, but they opposed a second part of the draft master plan, which proposed growth in areas to the east and the west, which is currently part of Cabonne.
The main concerns included the number and size of the lots, which could be as small as 300 square metres, water security, access across the railway line and consultation with property owners.
With amalgamation with Cabonne and Blayney councils a possibility, councillors voted to revisit the expansion at a later date.
Spring Hill resident Jason Vials addressed the council, thanking it for taking the community’s views on the eastern subdivision into account.
“In reality, we would be creating a new village because there’s no connection to the existing village of Spring Hill,” he said.
“Perhaps in Sydney or in Orange 300 square metre lots may find a market, but Spring Hill is a different place - it’s a village with a lot of green space, and if people move to Spring Hill that’s what they’ll be looking for.”
Councillor Neil Jones believed a western subdivision would be reasonable but had concerns to the east.
“The separation of the railway line is a concern - unless we can build greater connectivity with a possible pedestrian linkage we’re facing some potential problems,” he said.
