By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE’S Black Spur Nursery site could one day be the site of six houses, after an application was approved by Yarra Ranges councillors on Tuesday 8 March.
But the owners have moved to quell fears about the development, and said the permit was a “retirement plan” for the future, and would be pushing for the business to continue when they left.
On Tuesday, councillors unanimously approved a planning application for a six-lot subdivision and construction of six dwellings at the Black Spur Nursery site at 349-353 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
A resident, representing the 12 objectors to the development, said that “a number” of concerns with the application had been discussed and addressed, such as changing one of the blocks from a double-storey to single-storey house.
However, they asked council to change trees allocated for the development from eucalyptus trees to a mix of Victorian trees that would be shorter and offer better privacy to residents.
Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister said it was “great” to see the applicant and residents come to an agreement about the site.
“It is a change to the site, and as both the ward councillor and a Healesville resident, we all love the nursery and we’re used to it,” Cr McAllister said.
“But we accept that change happens, and I think this is probably a good outcome for that site.”
Nursery owners John and Annette Stanhope spoke to the Mail on Thursday 10 March, and said the approved permit would be used to help market the property in coming years, as a “retirement plan”.
But both Mr and Mrs Stanhope, who are 67 and 68 respectively, said they wanted to see the nursery continue after they left.
“We’d much prefer it to remain as a nursery,” Mrs Stanhope said.
“Our first option will be to sell it as a business – it’s the best option for us, and Healesville,” Mr Stanhope said.
He said the development would be an option for whoever owns the land next to consider, but that it would be ready-to-go if the new owner took it up.
“If we can’t sell the nursery, we’re stuck with a vacant block of land, and it’s going to take someone two years to get a permit to do anything,” he said.
“Well, we’ve already got the permits while the business is going.”
The couple said that they had owned the business for 42 years as of Anzac Day this year, and had made no official plans to sell the nursery yet – though Mr Stanhope said it could go on the market in the coming years.
Mr Stanhope said the town had become more “upmarket” in that time, and said that, when the couple came to Healesville, there was only one place for coffee.
“That was the Bellbird Restaurant, and that’s when it was open at night – there was no such thing as coffee shops,” he said.
“It’s a long time, but we can’t keep doing things,” Mrs Stanhope said.
“Like Fiona McAllister said – we all hate change, but it has to happen sometimes.”
For more details of the planning application, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au
