THE developer of a Village Bakehouse bakery has been given the green light to establish a site on the corner of Durham and Rankin streets.
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The decision was made at last week's Bathurst Regional Council meeting after more than half an hour of discussion.
Councillors were largely supportive of the idea of a new business coming to town, bringing 38 jobs with it, but held concerns that the project could be delayed, or traffic affected, by works proposed for the intersection.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) plans to upgrade the intersection of Rankin and Durham streets to make it safer by preventing motorists from travelling straight through the intersection along Rankin Street, and limiting vehicles to turning left only into Durham Street from either side of Rankin Street.
Council's conditions of consent for the Village Bakehouse development application (DA) prohibit the bakery opening before those works have been completed, unless the developer can make suitable alternative arrangements deemed satisfactory by both council and TfNSW.
While TfNSW is anticipating to carry out those works in mid-2021, councillors were concerned about what would happen if the upgrade was delayed.
Director of Environmental, Planning and Building Services, Neil Southorn, explained how the alternative arrangements would work and expressed his confidence in them, which appeared to placated councillors.
"The developer has proposed it and therefore there is a willingness. Secondly, should it be necessary for temporary works, the condition does require that the temporary works be to both TfNSW and council's satisfaction," he said.
"In other words, they're not just witches hats or a bit paint on the ground; it's a solid piece of infrastructure, but one which is at a lower cost to the developer until such time as the permanent works are constructed."
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With consent, council imposed 104 conditions, at the recommendation of council staff, that the developer will be required to meet.
The conditions were broken down into 14 different categories, some of which were noise, odour, landscaping and tree removal, heritage conservation, and signage, light and security.
Councillors also resolved to request TfNSW to consider the placement of a pedestrian refuge in the middle of Rankin Street adjacent to the development; to require the developer to replace a tree in Durham Street to council's satisfaction if the existing tree has to be removed; and to require the developer to engage a qualified arborist to provide expert advice on the trees on Durham street whilst excavation is occurring.
The only councillors to vote against the proposal were John Fry and Monica Morse, the latter objecting to the size of the building and the impact it would have on the character of the residential area.
