Nothing peaceful about proposed Rosebank Buddhist retreat

IT WAS supposed to promote peace and harmony but the proposal to build a Buddhist meditation retreat at Rosebank has generated nothing but acrimony.

IT WAS supposed to promote peace and harmony but the proposal to build a Buddhist meditation retreat at Rosebank has generated nothing but acrimony.

The developer has had enough and yesterday withdrew its appeal in the Land and Environment Court against Lismore City Council's rejection of its development application last year.

The proposal was to build a meditation centre to eventually cater for 80 students.

Although the council received 311 submissions supporting the application, and only 146 opposing it, the council's manager of development and compliance, Peter Jeuken, said it could not be approved.

"The disposal of waste-water, and the significant roadworks required to address additional traffic and safety on the gravel surface of Fox Rd were considered to justify refusal," he said.