The gateway to one of the region’s largest and busiest retail centres is about to change after plans for a six-storey head office for Maitland Mutual Building Society were approved.
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Councillors voted in favour of the $13.6 million development at a meeting last night with Cr Mitchell Griffin the only councillor to vote against the Mitchell Drive development, citing 5pm traffic in the precinct as a problem.
Maitland Mutual flagged plans for its head office earlier this year with council planners recommending the development for approval.
A planning report on the purpose-built office and demolition of the old Green Hills Pizza Hut building, said the new structure would “complete” and complement the recent expansion of Stockland Green Hills and will be comparable in scale (height) to that of the shopping centre.
The proposal was presented to council after receiving two objections from Stockland and KFC. Concerns over traffic and pedestrian movements, car parking, service arrangements and the suitability of the site for the development were raised by the parties. The application was also presented to council because the value of works at $13million exceed council officer delegations.
KFC representative, Andrew Thorley, told councillors in public access that he was alarmed to see KFC’s concerns were not being addressed “in a meaningful way” and made a request that if approved building society management met with KFC to discuss service vehicle movements and safety issues.
The Mutual’s General Manager Mr Geoffrey Seccombe said the building society is a significant part of Maitland. “We do need to expand and we are trying to do the best possible job.”
