Council refuses redevelopment plan

Gosford Council has refused an application to build a mixed commercial and residential building in Sorrento Rd, Empire Bay.

The development would have demolished the existing building and replaced it with one commercial unit and three large residential units.

Council rejected the proposal on eight grounds.

The report stated that the height, bulk and scale of the development was out of character with the local area, and did not comply with the required building size.

The report also stated that insufficient information had been submitted regarding the previous use of the site, such as previous fuel sales and the existence of the underground fuel tank and any possible site contamination.

Council's heritage committee also did not to support demolition of the existing building as it is a "draft item of environmental heritage".

Lyle Stone, Council agenda ENV.45, October 11