ANOTHER attempt has been made to build a unit complex in lower Havannah Street.
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A development application seeking to demolish existing dwellings and construct 38 residential units was lodged by Housing Plus on April 30.
Bathurst Regional Council will hold a public discussion forum for the DA on Wednesday night, which is due to follow the monthly policy committee meeting proceedings.
Although the plans were only submitted this year, in late 2016 a DA proposing 48 units on the same site was lodged with council by Hillside Properties Australia before being approved in early 2017.
When the plans were approved, councillor Ian North noted that a similar development for 69 units on the same site was approved by council in 2004, but did not eventuate.
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The subject site of the Housing Plus DA currently contains a single-storey residence known as 23 Durham Street and the former dwelling fronting Havannah Street, which was used as an office.
The proposal would see the demolition of two existing dwellings and structures within the site to make way for the units.
There would be 17 one-bedroom units and 21 two-bedroom units constructed with associated landscaping and fencing.
Parking would be provided for 51 vehicles.
Adjoining property owners were notified of the DA from May 20 to June 3, giving them the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal.
The notification garnered six submissions. A seventh submission was received after the closing date.
In a report to council's upcoming meeting, it noted there there were 15 issues raised in the letters of objection it received.
These included that previous applications hadn't proceeded, the management of remaining residual contamination on the land, unsuitable design characteristics and concerns about landscaping.
Council addressed contamination in the report, saying that Lot 100 was suitable for residential use, but remediation would be required elsewhere.
"Lot 5 was not part of the previous site investigation and remediation works, however Lot 5 has now been investigated as part of this application," the report said.
"The investigations on Lot 5 reveal that remediation of this area will be required.
"These matters will be fully disclosed in the council assessment report at the appropriate time."
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According to the statement of environmental effects, Housing Plus would build the units as part of the NSW Government's Social and Affordable Housing Fund, with the aim of prioritising housing for older women and for regional areas.
They plans would respond to the demand for more social and affordable housing.
"The focus of the proposed social and affordable housing development is to meet the needs of the aging (over 55) population, however, it is not guaranteed that the development will be occupied exclusively by this demographic," the SoEE reads.
"The dwellings will be occupied by tenants who have been assessed as eligible under the NSW Housing Pathways Strategy, however, the proposed development does form part of a strategy to meet the needs of the aging (over 55) population."
Given that the units need to cater to an aging population, they would be built to include design features such as step-free entrances, wide internal doors and corridors, and reinforced walls that can support handrails.
- Bathurst Regional Council's meeting will start at 6pm on Wednesday, August 7, upstairs in the civic centre