Affordable housing appeal

AN appeal could be lodged over the Joint Regional Planning Panel's decision to refuse an application for 74 affordable housing units at Lennox Head.

Chris Condon.

AN appeal could be lodged over the Joint Regional Planning Panel’s (JRPP) decision to refuse an application for 74 affordable housing units at Lennox Head.

The application was refused last month, with the panel deciding the development was “out of character” with the area.

Greenwood Grove mostly consists of single dwellings on 1200sq m blocks of land.

But developer Chris Condon’s recent victory against nearby residents in the Supreme Court of NSW has prompted speculation he will appeal the JRPP decision and continue to push for the affordable housing units.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Condon, town planner Steve Connelly would not say whether they were considering an appeal.

“An appeal has not been ruled in or out at this time,” he said.

“However, the time to lodge an appeal has recently changed under the act and an applicant now has only six months to make a decision.”

At the time of refusal, chairman of the Northern Region JRPP, Garry West, said there was “no doubt” affordable housing was needed on the Northern Rivers.

However he said he “struggled” to agree that Greenwood Grove was a suitable location for the proposed development.

Originally published as Affordable housing appeal