Grants for heritage work

Gosford Council's environmental heritage committee has recommended two small grants to Peninsula heritage building owners.

Ettalong House at 42 The Esplanade has had barge boards, fascia and rotted weatherboards replaced.

The heritage committee recommended payment for half the repairs with a $710 grant.

The Booker Bay Store should also receive $2000 towards the replacement of the shopfront windows, the committee recommended.

The owner said there was a need for the urgent repair of the unsafe shopfront.

The owner proposed to replace the timber framing and plate glass on both sides of the entrance door, which would keep the original appearance.

In other Peninsula heritage matters, King's Store at Booker Bay was the subject of a request by the owner Mr Richard Thomas for redevelopment of the site.

Mr Thomas said he was committed to retaining the facade of the early building and wanted to keep the heritage feel of the place with a two-storey development which stepped back from the facade.

He said it would have an iron roof, timber-framed windows and other sympathetic features.

The committee said the concept was "pleasing", but it would be strongly opposed to a total rebuild of the facade.

They acknowledged that a partial rebuild might be necessary to replace the iron lintel.

Carl Spears, February 6