New retail and lifestyle complex suffers setback

PLANS to develop a massive lifestyle and retail complex in Glenvale hit a hurdle in Toowoomba Regional Council’s development assessment panel meeting today.

The plans for a major new development in Glenvale, Toowoomba.

PLANS to develop a massive lifestyle and retail complex in Glenvale hit a hurdle in Toowoomba Regional Council's development assessment panel meeting today.

The development application despite have the okay from council's planning officers failed to get support and was sent back to council's planning committee.

Developers want to divide the Newtown Football Club grounds on Hursley Rd into five precincts that would host a range of facilities, including a supermarket, tavern and gym.

Toowoomba Hockey Association president Steve Stewart objected to the proposal on six grounds.

He said he would keep fighting the development when it goes back through council approvals again.

While he acknowledged the site had been mostly unused in the last few years, he said the future need for the sporting facility was clear.

"By allowing this development council is diminishing the sports and recreation facilities of the region now and into the future, as these sports grounds are ideally located within a growing community," he said.

Cr James O'Shea voiced concerns over the potential pressures the development would place on the road network.

Cr Mike Williams asked councillors if they were looking at the bigger picture, given another approval for a shopping centre in Glenvale already existed.

Cr Carol Taylor said she was concerned at the loss of sporting grounds and green areas.

Council's planning committee will now review the development application.

The broad-ranging development application covers the land from 202-224 Hursley Rd in Glenvale with an area spanning more than six hectares.

Originally published as New retail and lifestyle complex suffers setback