The National Trust is lost for words at Maitland City Council’s recommendation to approve a light industrial development on High Street next door to Wallis House.
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Conservation manager Graham Quint cannot understand why the conversion of the former fruit and vegetable stall, Weidecks, to a light metal fabrication shop and storage units would be approved at 21 High Street when the land is zoned primary production under the Maitland Local Environment Plan 2011.
“I don’t understand why the council has recommended to approve the conversion when the land is not zoned industrial,” Mr Quint said.
“The zoning is supposed to be there to protect the area and if this development goes ahead it will have a huge impact on the rural setting of the street and on Wallis House.”
The National Trust objected to the proposal in a letter to the council in December, but the council is satisfied the heritage conservation of Wallis House will not be affected after its assessment of potential impacts.
The council said the proposed development was 22.5 metres from the boundary of Wallis House and there would be plants on the boundaries of the site to soften the visual impact and provide a landscape buffer to Wallis House.
Many residents have objected to the development in letters to the council, but did not want to speak publicly.
Their concerns include noise, increased traffic, visual impact, storage of hazardous goods, industrial use in a rural area and a heritage impact.
The council said the plans had been amended to resolve the issues.
The site will be divided into three units with one housing the metal fabrication workshop and amenities and the other two used as storage units for two businesses.
Security fencing will be erected along the boundaries of the site.
Extensions will also be made to the building under provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
Councillors will vote on the proposal at Tuesday night’s meeting.
