Public concern triggers Abernethy development changes
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The developer behind a residential subdivision in the village of Abernethy, near Cessnock, says the project has been substantially scaled back to address local residents' concerns.
Stephen Leathley from Insite Planning addressed a meeting of Cessnock council last night, along with a spokesman from the Abernethy Residents Action Group.
Residents are worried about losing the village atmosphere, as well as the bushfire risk, after a blaze in 2002 destroyed 13 homes in Abernethy and left one man dead.
But Mr Leathley says the Rural Fire Service has approved the development, which has been revised three times.
"Originally we were proposing 29 lots, but after significant public concern about the proposal and the impact on the village character of Abernethy, we've reduced it down to 10 lots which are larger than the normal house lots in Abernethy, so I don't really understand what all the concern is about," he said.
