AN additional 221 new homes could soon feature in Eglinton if plans before Bathurst Regional Council are approved.
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The development application (DA) is for a 221-lot subdivision of a 44.46 hectare block of land that surrounds Eglinton Public School and is bordered by Freemantle Road and Alexander and Logan streets.
The DA was lodged by Voerman and Ratsep Surveyors and shows that the subdivision would include new roads, open space and residue rural land.
The land has come under the spotlight previously due to the school’s growing student population, with numbers increased 23 per cent (from 395 to 487) since 2008.
Despite the Department of Education initially identifying a future possible expansion of the school in 2011, in October 2016 it said in a letter to council that the land was “surplus to our future educational need”.
“Any future growth in the Eglinton area will be accommodated on the existing Eglinton Public School site,” the letter stated.
In July, the Western Advocate reported that Eglinton Public School parent Annette Taylor said the lack of open space showed a lack of foresight.
“At the moment we already have classes that are over 30 students – some are up to 34. We have no spare classrooms and we have demountables in the playground,” she said.
Meanwhile, the DA shows there will be a 1.11 hectare lot to the western and southern boarders of the school that has been classed as an “unserviced development lot”.
“The lot is effectively that land identified as future school on the current DCP [Development Control Plan],” a council spokesperson said. “Acquisition of the land once created will remain a matter to be negotiated between the owner and Department of Education.”
There will be a number of new roads included in the subdivision that will link the development to Logan Street and Freemantle Road.
Lot sizes will vary from the minimum size required for Eglinton Village of 900 square metres to approximately 1500 square metres, and will meet
Any future growth in the Eglinton area will be accommodated on the existing Eglinton Public School site,
- Department of Education
The Statement of Environmental Effects report states that opportunities exist for lots to be further developed as dual occupancies and residential units in accordance with council’s guidelines
“The development proposal will provide a positive social and economic impact in the area,” the report states.
“An increase in population can lead to improved community facilities and services and additional recreational, tourist and employment opportunities.”