Planning goalposts removed on character requirements

Gosford Council's Character Statement DCP, which requires new development to fit into the existing character of an area, has a long history which dates back to September 2001.

Over the last decade, the provisions of this DCP have been applied to many development applications.

However, in August this year, Council staff have effectively decided that Character DCP is expunged.

It appears that with the application for a McDonalds in Ocean Beach Rd, Umina, the need to adhere to a local character statement no longer applies.

"The building will appear visually as a standard corporate McDonalds building," according to Gosford Council Agenda, ENV.67, August 7.

Council staff added an additional comment to ensure that there was no ambiguity: "The building is designed as a corporate McDonalds Restaurant, therefore the needs of the applicant should be balanced against the character requirement."

It seems it is official: The needs of the applicant are superior to the character requirements which previously meant "the qualities that distinguish each area and the individual properties located within that area".

Council staff reported that the DA did not comply with character requirements but still supported the development.

Character Statement Umina 14: Town Centre contains numerous inconsistencies with the application, for example: "Off street parking should be concealed behind shops."

The McDonalds proposal "consists of parking located at the front of the site".

This is apparently innocuous to the council staff who firmly believe "the proposed does not detract from the character of the immediate locality".

DA criteria now appear to undergo a day-to-day metamorphosis, as council staff favour "the needs of the applicant".

The goal posts aren't changing.

They have been removed.

Letter, 7 Aug 2012

Norman Harris, Umina