Future of Rose Cottage still unclear

The future of Rose Cottage at Bensville is still uncertain after the property was passed in at auction on March 1.

Owner Mr Sheldon Young said: "We are investigating our options."

One of the options being considered is to apply to amend a recent mixed-use commercial-residential approval so an extra residence could be built on the site.

Another option is to negotiate relocation of the cottage, despite Mr Young dramatically withdrawing his previous donation of the cottage to the council at a Council meeting on February 28.

Mr Young recently told a council meeting that his offer had expired because council had taken too long investigating the logistics of relocating the house to council land.

He had set a time limit of January 30 but the report of the council investigation did not come before a council meeting until February 28.

Mr Young told the meeting that he was unable to develop the site himself because of the cost of the two-month delay, leading him to put the property up for auction.

However, Mr Young told Peninsula News last week a condition of approval relating to the donation had been withdrawn by the Council and he was now willing to listen to any proposal from the council to remove the buildings.

He said: "I no longer have a gun to my head over this.

"It is now a two-way street."

However Bensville Residents Association secretary Mr Alan Richardson did not hold out much hope for the retention of Rose Cottage as a community building.

"Not much can be done," he said.

"Gosford Council has walked away from Rose Cottage.

"They believe the money would be better spent elsewhere."

Jonathan Reichard, March 7