The hearings panel deciding the fate of an extensive proposed Bannockburn subdivision has asked the applicants to further consider the effect on amenity values of the neighbourhood.

Chair Rosalind Day-Cleavin said on reflection following the panel’s review of the submissions and evidence from the March 4-5 hearing in Cromwell, it was apparent a key matter for consideration was the amenity values “in particular the character of the streetscape.”

DJ Jones and NR Searell Family Trust initially applied for a 35-lot subdivision at 88 Terrace Street, and 80 per cent of submitters opposed it.

The application was withdrawn in 2021 and an amended application for a scaled down version of 25 lots over the 17ha of land west of the Bannockburn inlet, attracted 38 submissions.

At the hearing, the panel heard from a neighbouring resident who expressed concern at the development on the closest allotments adjacent to their property, and in particular on their views along the street towards the natural features of the hilltop.

The majority of submissions in opposition raised concerns regarding the lot size. For the residential resource area, a minimum lot area of 1500m2 and an average allotment size was no less than 2000m2 was required.

The applicant proposed the reserve would provide a connection to the informal public trail and a lookout area to the north and east towards Cromwell, the wider Upper Clutha area and eastwards towards the Bannockburn Outlet and surrounds. 

It would include interpretive material associated with the former mining activity, heritage associations with the twin Water Race Hill water races, and also potentially geomorphic explanations of the Upper Clutha area.

The supporting information submitted with the application site showed evidence of former gold mining works dating back to pre-1900’s as evidenced by a network of historic water races and deeply incised sluice gullies in the northwest with sluice faces and channels.

Applicants were asked to respond by yesterday March 17 and would be given a right of reply before a final decision was made by commissioners.