Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group has urged the Joint Regional Planning Panel to refuse plans for seniors housing in Edward Street

Now they’re gearing up for round two after Maitland councillors dismissed the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s recommendation that it be rejected and asked the Joint Regional Planning Panel to review the decision.

Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group has reiterated its concerns to the panel and pointed out why the department, and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, thought it should be rejected.

It has urged the panel to uphold the department’s decision.

“The department gave very, very, strong reasons for their recommendation,” group president Simon Brooker said.

“Legally they have a right to seek a review of the gateway determination so we’ll see what happens,” he said.

The department could not see how 22 medium density homes could be built without having an adverse impact on the key heritage values of the Morpeth Heritage Conservation Area.

It said the plans were inconsistent with the council’s Morpeth Management Plan and there were several other urban developments proposed within the town’s conservation area that could also adversely affect the heritage values.

Mr Brooker said the group was elated when the department reflected their concerns in the gateway determination.

“It was a very big win for us considering we’re up against big money and a very strong decision by the council to seek a gateway determination,” he said.

“We’re focusing on fact and detail and we’re quite clinical in our objections … We’re not giving up.

“We’re always going to object to negative development that is going to have an impact on the heritage of the town.”

Mr Brooker said the site had historic, social and aesthetic heritage significance and it was originally part of the Morpeth Common.

He said the Morpeth Management Plan was formed to protect the town’s heritage values, which were very important to the town’s history and tourism industry.

The bowling club building on the Edward Street site has been converted into a childcare centre and was allowed under the current zoning.