The Cessnock Local Environmental Plan 2011 has been approved by the NSW Government, updating planning controls that have been in place for more than 20 years.
The Cessnock Development Control Plan (2010) also came into force on December 23, 2011, meaning that all development applications submitted on or after that date will be assessed under the new Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (2010) controls.
Development applications that were submitted prior to that date will continue to be assessed under the old LEP 1989 provisions and the old DCP, with due consideration of the new LEP.
“Like all NSW councils, Cessnock was required to prepare a new comprehensive Local Environmental Plan in accordance with a standard format set by the NSW Government,” Mayor of Cessnock, Cr. Alison Davey said.
“The preparation of this new LEP involved an extensive consultation process and has taken almost five years to reach gazettal. Its finalisation is most welcome.”
Cessnock City Council general manager Lea Rosser said the gazettal of the LEP would provide certainty for the community in relation to future planning in Cessnock.
The LEP was approved by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, under delegation.
The department’s Deputy Director General Tom Gellibrand said the LEP would provide for growth in Cessnock and replaces the previous LEP that has been in place since 1989.
“The LEP will provide more than 1000 additional residential lots at eight sites across the
Cessnock local government area including Cessnock, Nulkaba, Heddon Greta, Millfield and Paxton,” Mr. Gellibrand said.
“In addition the LEP zones new employment land, known as Cessnock Civic, to encourage job creation in close proximity to the existing centre of Cessnock, while protecting the environmental values of the site.
“We have worked with Council to resolve a number of complex issues and I would like to thank Council for its cooperation.”
Council’s Group Leader Strategy and Sustainability, Louise Gee, said changes made by the NSW Government meant the final version of the Cessnock LEP has some differences to earlier versions exhibited and adopted by Council, including deferring areas that were the subject of the Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA) overlay.
The LEP also identifies that planning controls for the Huntlee development site are included in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Development).
Residents and property owners who have received advice in the past on what they may or may not be able to do under the new LEP are encouraged to have a look at the new LEP and check they have up-to-date advice. Inquiries regarding the new LEP should be directed to Council on 4993 4300.
The Cessnock Local Environmental Plan 2011 and associated maps can be viewed at www.legislation.nsw.gov.au and the Plan will be available at www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au and at Council’s Administration Centre. Council’s Development Control Plan (2010) will also be available on the Council website.
A land use matrix has also been prepared as a quick checklist to determine whether a specific land use is permissible within a zone, and this will also be available on Council’s website.
Email a friend