Hardware store given go ahead
Gosford Council has approved a development application for a hardware and building supply outlet in the old Flemmings supermarket building at 282 West St, Umina, despite having a shortfall of 12 parking spaces.
The Bunnings Warehouse development will include a timber trade area to the rear of the existing building, an outdoor plant nursery with shade sails to the south-east of the existing building, and 30 car parking spaces at the rear of the site.
It will seven corporate branding signs, a loading dock and alterations to the site access from South St.
Bunnings Warehouse would operate from 7am to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 6pm on weekends.
Council planning staff told the council that the proposal would improve the appearance of the vacant building and would assist in providing for the shopping and service needs of the community.
Council received three public submissions and one petition with 259 signatures in opposition to the proposal.
One public submission was received in support of the proposal.
Objectors were concerned that the development would result in significant increases in early morning and late night noise, traffic congestion and heavy vehicle movements.
They said the development would have a negative impact on small businesses in town, there would be insufficient car parking and the proposal was out of character for Umina.
The council staff report stated that the proposed business was not expected to generate an unreasonable level of noise nor would it impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents beyond that expected within the Umina business centre.
The applicant stated that deliveries would not occur in peak trading times and the store was not expected to generate a significantly higher number of vehicle movements than those that occurred when Flemmings was in operation.
The staff report claimed that the potential commercial impact of Bunnings on small businesses was not a matter for consideration under Section 79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Gosford Council Agenda ENV.70, 1 Nov 2011