THE former St Patrick’s Sporting Club fields have been earmarked as the location for an $18.3 million seniors’ housing development.
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Liam O’Hara of Paddy’s Hotel has applied to Bathurst Regional Council to build 89 self-contained units on land at the Gilmour Street site.
The land is owned by Crohar Pty Ltd.
If the development goes ahead, it will include 10 one-bedroom units, 62 two-bedroom units and 17 three-bedroom units.
There will also be a 1200 square metre gym, featuring a swimming pool.
The site currently contains the existing Paddy’s Hotel, an amenities building, a grandstand, storage building and cricket nets.
The hotel will remain, but it is proposed the existing shed, change rooms and grandstand will be demolished.
The proposal seeks approval to subdivide the land into six lots.
The development will be carried out in four stages, subject to future development applications.
The total cost of this proposed development will be $30 million, and will include a nine-hole golf course for residents and the surrounding community, sporting fields and wetlands throughout.
A statement of environmental effects has been prepared for Mr O’Hara by town planner Anthony Daintith and presented to Bathurst Regional Council.
Mr Daintith said that without the ability to diversify the land uses on the site and “achieve viable revenue streams”, the owner will find it increasingly difficult to sustain the recreational use of the site.
“A more viable operation will ensure a better quality facility to meet the recreational needs of the Bathurst community into the future,” he wrote.
“The St Patrick’s Sporting Complex has been used for sporting activities for a considerable period of time, however, in recent times the land has been under-utilised, as sporting clubs are no longer using the facility to its potential.
“The ongoing cost of maintaining the facility to a high standard is becoming cost prohibitive, especially without the support of local sporting teams and council.”
Mr Daintith said, however, the site is considered ideal for such a development and is extremely well-positioned, being close to the Bathurst and Kelso CBDs, retail, medical and recreational facilities.
The DA provides for a variety of housing types and densities.
Each unit will be brick veneer with Colorbond steel sheet roof and will have a garage. An area of open space has also been provided for each unit.
The architectural design of the development will ensure a cohesive village appearance from Gilmour Street and the new street system. Each unit will be single storey and set back off Gilmour Street. Various finishes, materials and design features will be used.
Extensive landscaping is proposed.
The DA indicates landscaping will complement the village feel, using a range of native shrubs and grasses to create visual screening and softening where appropriate.
There will be rainwater harvesting for use in irrigation and services, outdoor drying provisions and good provision for solar controls and cross-ventilation to minimise energy consumption.
The subject land is essentially the last site to be developed along Gilmour Street in this part of Kelso.
Mr Daintith’s report indicates that a local builder will be employed to undertake the project, as well as numerous sub-contractors.
Details of the development application can be obtained from council’s environmental, planning and building services department until July 21.
