A HERITAGE listed building has been saved following Monday night’s Upper Hunter Shire Council meeting.
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The future of 77 Main Street, Scone, was discussed, following an application from owners MacCallum Inglis who applied for the demolition of the existing building to construct a shed to be used as a bulky goods premises.
A recommendation to refuse the application to demolish the site was passed at the meeting with Bev Atkinson speaking in support of the refusal.
“Big loading is for big lanes,” Mrs Atkinson stated saying the proposed site was too tight and raised safety concerns.
Meryl Rossington also spoke out against the demolition stating her main problem was the heritage aspect of the building.
“Heritage is something that is unique – if you destroy this building it will have to be replaced and is a loss to the community,” Ms Rossington said.
Michael Burke, partner at MacCallum Inglis, spoke on behalf of the applicant outlining the reasons the application should be approved.
Mr Burke said MacCallum Inglis currently employs 21 staff and the demolition of the building would allow them to add an additional six parking spaces, alleviating parking issues.
Cr Ron Campbell raised a question surrounding the heritage saying he was yet to understand why heritage only becomes an issue when someone wants to do something with the site.
Cr Kiwa Fisher also stated that he was firmly in belief that the development would improve traffic while Mayor Wayne Beddgood reinforced the fact that the building was heritage listed.
Cr Sue Abbott also put forward a motion for council to amend a section of its External Communications policy around expression of personal opinion to the public which was refused.
Updates on a number of projects from the Scone, Murrurundi, and Aberdeen revitalisation committee took centre stage as well as the Merriwa Tourism and Promotion Committee.
During question time Cr Ron Campbell also asked on an update on repairs of footpath in front of the IGA at Merriwa.
The Scone Advocate broke the story in August, meeting with members of the Merriwa Senior Citizens Centre who were concerned the cracked pavement was a safety issue to residents.
Upper Hunter Shire Council general manager Waid Crocket responded saying “quotes to repair the pavement were being pertained and are expected by the end of February”.
Upper Hunter Shire Council also approved a total of $2,150 worth of donations at the November meeting which went to the 1st Scone Scout Group, Aberdeen Playgroup, Koori Kids and donated an old caravan to the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre used as emergency accommodation.
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