A DEVELOPMENT application is the difference between a workers' cottage in upper William Street that will soon be demolished and the similarly derelict properties that remain on the street's lower end, Bathurst Regional Council says.
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Council last week voted to allow the owners of the dilapidated 1880s cottage at 206 William Street to demolish the property and build a new home that will incorporate bricks from the original dwelling.
The Western Advocate was contacted by a reader asking why derelict properties in William Street near the Macquarie River were still standing.
Council's director of environmental, planning and building services Neil Southorn said council received a development application for the demolition of 206 William Street as part of an application to redevelop the site with a new single storey house and garage.
"Council considered the application for demolition and approved the building's removal given the current condition of the property and the cost to restore the building's structural soundness and safety and taking into account the relevant planning requirements," he said.
Unless there is imminent danger to public safety, Mr Southorn said, council "is only able to act on matters like this when it receives a development application from the building's owner to redevelop a site".
"Each and any application is then considered on its merit and in accordance with relevant legislation," he said.
Councillor Monica Morse cited the derelict properties in lower William Street when she said, earlier this year, that state legislation should be changed to allow councils to demolish private properties that fall into disrepair.
"In principle, I believe council should be able to say to owners either do something with the property or we will pull it down," she said.
