Given a list of six options for the site the developer Morpeth Land Company wants to build a medium density village for the over 55s beside the old Morpeth Bowling Club.

The clubhouse is under refurbishment for use as a childcare centre and the land between it and Morpeth Common has been slated for the 22 single-storey villas.

The villas are set back 30 metres off Edward Street with a new road as access.

Proponent Brad Everett broke his silence over the plans on Thursday.

The Morpeth Land Company director said he did not want to prejudice Maitland City Council’s decision to include the land in its settlement strategy. 

“There’s a process to be ­followed,” Mr Everett said.

“If I dump these plans on people too soon they call me presumptuous.”

The property was bought in August 2014 and Mr Everett met with the council development control unit soon after.

This pre-application discussion outlined what ­development would be allowed on the site and ­included mobile homes.

Mr Everett had plans drawn up for a large gym, but said there had been advice that residential use was a possibility.

A plan had also been drafted to rezone the land for units.

But Morpeth Land Company will retain the ­recreational zoning now the parcel of land has been ­included in the Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy.

Morpeth development a divisive issue for council: Baker

To gain approval for the ­seniors’ villas Mr Everett will instead seek an amendment to the Local Environment Plan.

“Seniors’ housing was a permissible use while the club was licensed,” he said.

“Once the licence was removed, the seniors’ living policy no longer applied, so it’s necessary to seek an amendment to the recreational zone.” 

The NSW Department of Planning will assess the ­validity of plans before Morpeth Land submits a development application.

Mr Everett said detailed plans would be lodged as part of the development application and exhibited with the zoning amendment.