By Peter Douglas
A last-minute proposal to remove 13 of the 22 beech trees that comprise the Avenue of Beeches in Sherbrooke has added further fuel to the fire over an ongoing planning dispute.
On the eve of an independent planning panel meeting, regarding a proposal to redevelop the iconic Burnham Beeches estate, community-watchers of the project expressed dismay at the additional proposal to lop the trees to enable road widening and driveway works.
The owners of the Sherbrooke site, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett and business partner Adam Garrison, are seeking to significantly redevelop the site, including the restoration of the Norris Building.
However, objectors to the latest proposal say the trees are synonymous with the region and need to be retained.
Among the objectors to speak in front of the panel on Thursday 7 December was resident Melissa Hepworth.
“These trees are the most photographed part of the landscape … they’re what makes Sherbrooke,” she said.
“These very trees, the beech trees, are what Burnham Beeches is named after … is it worth restoring the Norris Building if it’s detrimental to the rest of the amenity in the area?
“I had a vision too when I moved to Sherbrooke 22 years ago. I hope their vision doesn’t destroy my vision.”
Ms Hepworth also commented on reports of helicopters landing on the site.
“Why haven’t they applied for a helipad? Probably because they don’t want to rock the boat any further regarding their application,” she said.
Mr Bennett and Mr Garrison are seeking permission to develop the site to include a residential hotel, additional restaurant in the piggery building, a brewery with food and drink areas, shop with food and drink areas, two small staff accommodation buildings, intersection works at the Sherbrooke Road entrance and vegetation removal.
The proposal was exhibited in 2016 and received 93 submissions, including from Parks Victoria, the managers of the adjacent Alfred Nicholas Gardens, which expressed strong support.
Most of the 86 submissions were overwhelmingly critical and highlighted the effect on safety in the event of a bushfire for residents and visitors, and inadequate response to heritage values, traffic and parking, environmental and landscape impacts, excessive scale and inadequate application information.
The panel hearing took place over 4, 5, and 7 December, in front of panel members Lester Townsend, Peter Edwards and Natasha Reifschneider.
A representative for the developers, as well as Yarra Ranges Council representatives, was also in attendance.
The panel hearing gave the opportunity for both sides to put forward there position to the panel, which will prepare their recommendations in coming weeks.
Among those addressing the panel was Betty Marsden from Save the Dandenongs League, as well as community members Jacqui Wicks, Peta Freeman and Kathryn Nauta.
Ms Marsden said Save the Dandenongs League had fought similar battles before and that she had a deep connection with the site.
She recalled walking the site when just nine years old, during the World War II era.
Ms Nauta expressed disappointment over a plan that would see Burnham Beeches patrons be permitted to use the Alfred Nicholas Gardens entrance.
“We believe a plan to use the entrance has been there for some time. But this is not what was intended when the gardens were donated to the people of Victoria,” she said.
Ms Nauta said the entrance plan did not have the support of the Nicholas family.
She also feared more proposals from the developers would be forthcoming, with room to broaden the scope of the development.
Ms Freeman questioned whether the permit was in keeping with the significant landscape overlay in place.
She also expressed fears the development would impact negatively on local residents and wildlife.
“Aspects of their vision is not in reality with the Dandenong Ranges, one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. That comes with great responsibility,” she said.
Yarra Ranges Council director of social and economic development, Ali Wastie, said there were numerous unresolved submissions for the community and agencies in relation to the amendment and draft permit including fire risk, traffic and parking, tree and landscape impacts.
“Council had three options – to change the amendment to reflect what has been requested in the submissions, refer submissions to a planning panel or to abandon part or all of the amendment,” Ms Wastie said.
“It is recommended that the most appropriate course of action is to request that the Minister for Planning appoint an independent planning panel.”
Ms Wastie said the panel would provide their recommendations in the form of a report to council in about 40 business days.
“Council will make the report public and available on our website in the weeks following that. Council’s strategic planning team will report to the council on the panel’s findings at a council meeting intended to be early next year,” she said.
The panel hearing is the latest in a series of meetings over the developers’ proposals.
In August 2015, Yarra Ranges Council unanimously rejected a call from the owners of Burnham Beeches in Sherbrooke for a planning scheme amendment that would allow up to 80 hotel villas on the historic site.
The villas were to be sold as investment properties to raise funds to complete the overall development.
The ‘Mail’ has attempted to contact Mr Garrison for comment and will endeavour to publish a response.
