Patonga store demolition 'acceptable'

Gosford Council has been told that demolition of the Patonga store is acceptable on heritage grounds.

An application for demolition was supported by a Statement of Heritage Impact from consultants Permal Murphy Wu.

They concluded that demolition of the remaining building elements was acceptable on heritage grounds as the "proposed works will allow the historic and aesthetic significance of the place to be interpreted and the social significance of the place continue and be enhanced in a viable and improved manner."

Gosford Council's environmental heritage committee was informed of the history and background of the tavern development and also of the heritage issues.

The application involves the demolition of existing freestanding building elements, and the rebuilding of the general store.

It is proposed that the same materials, where they could be salvaged, would be used to reinstate the original doorway and window structure, according to the council report.

The floor level of the general store area would be raised to that of the tavern.

The report stated that "the existing external free standing pergola columns would be retained where practical."

An Original Heritage Analysis Report prepared by Simpson Wilson Architects made a series of detailed recommendations regarding retention and reuse of certain building elements including windows, shop front, fireplace, verandah posts, concrete pillars, trellis, decking, lattice and other materials.

The Heritage Committee agreed at its meeting of September 1 that the demolition "should not have occurred without consent".

The committee also commented that "the remaining elements, out of their original context, have little significance and are in poor condition".

The report stated that "the committee are of the view that some of the social and cultural significance of the site still remain and it is important that the nature of the usage of the shop is retained".

"Development Consent conditions obviously need to be more specific in regard to heritage buildings to avoid misinterpretation in the future," the report stated.

"If the remaining elements are to be removed, the site will have no heritage significance with regard to the existing building."

Council agenda EH.29, July 13