The Heathcote Hall developer says the message delivered by about 300 angry residents at last week’s impromptu forum was heard “very clearly”.
A statement issued on behalf of the developer said concerns would be addressed.
However, it was clear the project, in broad terms, will progress as planned despite the public uproar.
The only concession made was the public information session should have been handled differently.
The statement said public consultation would continue, and this would include seeking views on the future use of the restored Heathcote Hall.
“Once this is complete, we will undertake further community consultation to ensure we get this right for the Heathcote community and right for the restoration of Heathcote Hall,” the statement said.
New images released with the statement showed public open space, including a tennis court, and the proposed convenience store and cafe.
The statement, issued by planning consultant JBA, was silent about the identity of the developer.
It said the new owner of the East Heathcote estate was Fuzortinn Pty Ltd, which, as the Leader reported last week, is a shelf company.
The statement said the new owner thanked the community for their attendance at the public information session and would continue to consult before plans were finalised.
“Heathcote Hall, a state listed heritage item, is currently in a state of severe disrepair and in urgent need of essential repairs and restoration to ensure that it is preserved for the benefit of future generations and the local community,” the statement said.
"The cost of necessary repairs and restoration works is expected to cost up to $4 million.
“Fuzortinn Pty Ltd, a Sydney based property developer, has acquired the site and commissioned a concept plan for new homes, including townhouses and apartments, on the site.
“These new homes would provide the investment required to repair and restore the hall, as well as ensure its ongoing maintenance in the future through appropriate strata levies for new property owners.
“Four acres of the existing private estate will be open to public access for the community to enjoy, and a small cafe and convenience store is also proposed on the site.”
The statement said the area was zoned for E4 Environmental Living, which allowed one to two storey dwellings.
However, the heritage conservation incentives clause in the local environmental plan (LEP) allowed for alternative uses, such as town houses, if that facilitated the restoration and conservation of a state heritage item such as Heathcote Hall.
“The concept plan for 76 homes on the site has been prepared for public consultation so the community feedback can be captured and incorporated before the proposal is are finalised and submitted to Sutherland Shire Council,” the statement said.
“Detailed technical reports that assess potential impacts in areas such as traffic, heritage, ecology, emergency management (including bushfire risk and evacuation) and flooding and stormwater management will also be prepared.”
The statement said the public information session was designed as a drop-in style event, to provide the opportunity for discussion of the concept plan with the project team, including FPA Architects, town planners from JBA, traffic engineers McLaren and landscape architects, SiteDesign Studios.
“In one sense it was great to see such community interest in the future of this site, but clearly we have to hold our hands up and admit that the venue and the format we had organised did not cater appropriately for the large number of people who attended,” project spokesman Ross Hornsey said in the statement.
”On behalf of the project I’d like to thank people for coming along, bearing with us and participating in a robust discussion.”
Mr Hornsey said the consultation ”did not quite go to plan, but nevertheless it was a valuable opportunity for us as a project team to hear the Heathcote community’s concerns”
He said the project team acknowledged the concerns raised by members of community on the night, and committed to address them in the development of the plans.
“We acknowledge these concerns and that local residents feel very passionately about the type of development that should be allowed in Heathcote particularly regarding height, density, traffic and local infrastructure needs,” he said
“We heard this message very clearly.
“And, we also heard real concerns about the current state of Heathcote Hall, how it would be restored and what it should be used for in the future.
“A fundamental objective for the project is to restore this important heritage item, provide for its ongoing preservation and open the site up for the public to enjoy.
“We want to achieve this objective, while also being sensitive to the existing environment and the needs of the local community.”
The statement said, in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Heritage Council, the development would not only fund the restoration of Heathcote Hall, but would provide a source of funding for its ongoing maintenance.
“Importantly, a conservation management plan and heritage impact statement will form part of the DA, which will eventually be lodged with council,” the statement said.
“The conservation management plan will ensure conservation of Heathcote Hall and an appropriate curtilage around the heritage building is maintained now and into the future.”
Visit: haveyoursayheathcotehall.com