The public is being invited to comment on a draft plan to promote housing diversity, walkable villages and a vibrant town centre across a 1,702 hectare site in the NSW Hunter Valley.
The draft development control plan (DCP) for the Huntlee site, located south of Branxton in the Hunter Valley, is being publicly exhibited by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure for one month from Wednesday 13 June to Friday 13 July 2012.
The draft DCP proposes comprehensive development standards to promote a range of housing types and lot sizes, as well as a distinct village character. Four separate villages are proposed across the Huntlee site, in addition to a town centre.
The development controls divide the site into distinct villages, with each required to have local shops and facilities within walking distance for most residents. The draft DCP also establishes a framework for where parks and recreation facilities should be located and outlines development controls to achieve a sustainable and vibrant town centre.
The Huntlee site has already been listed as a state significant site and zoned to support a range of uses including:
The state significant site listing requires a DCP to be in place to establish a framework to guide future development, before any subdivision works or construction can be approved. Development applications would then be assessed against the DCP.
The department is currently assessing a Stage 1 project application to subdivide part of the Huntlee site into 1,701 residential lots for 2042 dwellings, 50.5 hectares of mixed use employment lands and associated infrastructure including landscaping, open space, recreation areas, roads and drainage. The department is awaiting the proponent’s response to submissions and final development proposal.
Project applications for future subdivision stages will need to be assessed by the local council. Construction of houses and buildings will require a development application to be lodged with the council, or a complying development approval from the council or a private certifier.
The draft DCP was prepared by the department in consultation with Cessnock and Singleton councils and the proponent to promote high quality urban design, as well as environmental, social and economic sustainability. The draft DCP sets standards across a range of criteria including:
Source: Projectlink.com.au