Heritage site that was once home to a beer-drinking pony, set to start a new chapter
A quirky heritage homestead once home to a man with a famous beer drinking pony could be converted into a group home for people with disabilities if council approves the DA.
Central Coast
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A Narara homestead that was once owned by Lotto winners and a man who had a beer drinking pony is set to be converted into a group home.
A DA has been lodged to convert the heritage listed Lerida homestead in Bellbowrie Ave, Narara into a group home along with construction of six cottages for respite accommodation including a caretaker’s cottage.
The plan was lodged on behalf of Central Coast ARAFMI, a community organisation that works with individuals and families during the mental health recovery journey through counselling, support groups and accommodation.
The DA, valued at $450,000, is on public exhibition until close of business today.
There are no plans to change the existing buildings, with the staged DA for six cottages to include living, dining and kitchen facilities, accessible bathroom and bedroom.
The Central Coast ARAFMI has received funding for the development from the State Government’s Community Building Partnership Program.
Lerida, also known as Holcombes, has had a checkered history and is listed as “environmental heritage” in the Gosford Local Environmental Plan.
According to the DA’s Heritage Impact Statement, the property dates back to the 1890s when it was bought by Rowland Ferrers Pickering.
In February 1903, The Gosford Times reported “Mr. Pickering’s residence is all but completed – it is an ornament to the district.”
Pickering was a sportsman, editor and part owner of the Bells Life newspaper.
“He was well known as owner of a famous beer drinking pony called ‘Chook-chook’, with The Gosford Times reporting that he had been master of the horse for 27 years,” the report stated.
“Pickering named the property ‘Ferrers’ and produced a substantial renovation in 1903. Pickering died at ‘Ferrers’ in 1913.”
The property was then bought by Arthur F. Lewis, licensee of the Royal Hotel in Gosford, in 1914 and renamed Lerida before it was sold in 1921 to Walter Holcombe and became known as Holcombe’s House.
“The Holcombe family were well known in the district with several members on the WWII Narara District Honour Roll and other family members involved in the Narara Cricket Club,” the report states.
Over the years, it was been renovated and restored by David and Elizabeth Burke, in the late 1970s, and Phyllis and Laurie Jaggard in the 1990s. The Jaggard’s developed the gardens which were used as a wedding venue and participated in Gosford’s Open Garden Scheme.
In 2003, Lotto winners bought Lerida for $1.62 million and sold it in 2008 for just $815,000 to the Logan family. Central Coast ARAFMI purchased the site in 2013.