A four storey residential and commercial development in Bangalow has been recommended for refusal by Byron Shire staff at council’s April 18 meeting.
Sydney developers Gordon Highlands Pty Ltd had sought approval for a medium sized block at 9 Station Street, adjacent to the A&I Hall. The proposal included eight apartments, three shops and basement car parking for 18 vehicles.
But it caused outcry from residents, including the Bangalow School P&C, who organised a public meeting in response.
The meeting heard the building was out of character with the local environment and traffic in the lane accessing the car park would pose a danger to local school kids who use it to walk to school.
In the report, planning staff cited provisions under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for refusal.
They include that the ‘proposed bulk and scale of the building is likely to have a negative impact on the built environment of the locality’.
Other reasons included that it is inconsistent with provisions in the Byron Development Control Plan (DCP) and that it detracted from the character and appearance of the Bangalow Heritage Precinct, as defined in the Byron Local Environmental Plan 1988.
Staff say the DA also requested the demolition of the existing dwelling which, as previously reported by Echonetdaily, was going to be offered to the Bangalow Showgrounds.