Maitland City Council has approved a major land lease community in Rutherford.
Constructed in 11 stages, it will have facilities including a community centre / sports pavilion, indoor swimming pool, tennis court, bowling green, community garden and men’s shed. There will be walking trails on the site of just over 11 hectares fronting Grand Parade.
The land is owned by Heritage Parc and contains a residential estate of predominantly detached dwellings with a central lakes system and surrounded by an extensive open space precinct with a network of walking trails and shared paths and playgrounds. There is a childcare centre and an Oak Tree Group seniors housing development.
Principle Living, a joint entity that includes former Newcastle Mayor and village developer Jeff McCloy, will market and operate the complex as an over 50’s lifestyle village known as Stonybrook Village. It is Principle Living’s first land lease community, with Blueheath at Medowie, Port Stephens, a retirement village. Vina at The Vintage in the Hunter Valley, will be Principal Living’s next retirement village.
Maitland City Council said the need for specific housing to support an ageing population is recognised in both the Hunter Regional Plan 2036 and Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036.
“Similarly, providing diversity in housing choice is encouraged to create more compact settlements and maximise the use of existing services and infrastructure. The overall development of Heritage Parc is consistent with these outcomes, providing a blend of traditional residential lots and affordable housing development within one overall community title scheme. The application is considered to be in the broader public interest,” said the council.
