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A Fresh Outlook On Development for Thornton and Chisholm
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COVID Update
Since we first posted this article the area of Thornton and Chisholhm and all other area of Maitland and Greater Newcastle have become hot spots for buyers from Sydney wanting to escape the city but not wanting to give up the luxuries of the city. Thornton and surrounding such as Beresfield are great alternatives to Sydney and come with a great purchase price for the area. They are close to all facilities such as shopping centres, CBDs, medical centres, beaches, entertainment. The area is ripe for development with many smart investors getting in while the market is still growing. Many of our clients that we speak to are buying in the area both for investment and for their new family house that is safely away from Sydney and away from Lockdown requirements.
Thornton and Chisholm from a investor!
Thornton and Chisholm have become a booming area for both the sale of existing lots and the purchase of existing lots within the established areas. Thornton is a hot market for many buyers from Sydney that want a good quality piece of land for a fraction of the cost of a Sydney property. The area of Thornton has a lot going for it.
Thornton was once a small little village on the outskirts of Maitland that was characterised by post Second World War bungalows mixed with a piecemeal of low density dwellings and a small industrial estate to the south. Over the years areas around the suburb (Somerset Drive) were opened up for land release and the area has expanded. The area was popular for workers of the Newcastle Industrial areas and the RAAF Base due to the lot sizes and access to essential services.
In recent years the Thornton North Area and Chisholm were marked by the NSW Government as potential land release areas to meet the population growth of the area and subsequently the area has been transformed from a quiet village to a major suburban area of the Maitland/Hunter Valley area.
The area is now under rapid change with new major land releases and other developments being approved by Maitland Council regularly, often with little to no neighbour or community consultation. The issues facing the suburb and the exponential rate of growth are around the infrastructure for the area particularly around the increases local traffic for the area.
Traffic Impact
One of the main issues with the traffic of Thornton is the conjestion at the end of the M1 Motorway (F3 Freeway) with the traffic being directed into a single lane and sent through a series of two roundabouts creating a dog leg. The result is that the roundabouts create a bottle neck resulting in a substantial delay for general traffic entering a residential suburb. This continues to be one of the biggest issues with any development around Thornton.
Chisholm Land Release
The main area of development within Thornton is Chisholm which is technically a new suburb adjacent to Thornton, Morpeth and Woodburry. The new land release contains a new Catholic Primary School, Catholic High School and childcare services as well as a recently approved Supermarket development for the suburb that is believed to be Woolworths.
We have assisted our clients within Chisholm with their town planning enquires and application with Maitland Council or through a private certifier in order to obtain their development approval.
Industrial and Residential areas of Thornton
Thornton is spit into two main areas:
1. Residential Thornton
2. Industrial Thornton
1. Residential Thornton
2. Industrial Thornton
1. Residential Thornton
This area begins at the Railway Bridge leading into Thornton from the M1 (F3 Freeway) and for the purpose of this article it extends through to Chisholm and Morpeth. The residential area of Thornton contains a small shopping centre and it is noted that Chisholm has recently been approved for a new supermarket.
2. Industrial Thornton
The industrial area of Thornton is located on the southern side of the railway bridge and contains a number of critical industrial warehouses that service the area and other businesses such as Origin Energy, Mortells, KFC, Red Rooster, S2F Fitness, Volvo, Stratco and countless other businesses. We have helped businesses within this area gain their development approvals and can assist with your development approval.
Recent approvals for the area through Hunterlands has raised serious concerns as to whether Maitland Council were considering the local area in providing approvals for these developments.
Why choose us?
Home Owners
Subdividing, Building or renovating? We have experience dealing with Council development applications for home owners.
Business Owners
We have assisted countless businesses to gain approval from Council or Private Certifiers. Discover how we can help you business
The Work We do!
With expert experience in Local Government as well as the private sector, our town planners help get development approved. Below is a list of some of the development types we work with.
Why Choose Us?
Experts in our field
We have extensive and broad experience in all types of town planning. Our Planners have Ex-Council experience and know the best way to get an approval.
Size Doesn’t Matter
No matter how small or how big your job is, we can help you. We work on small renovations to large subdivisions and residential flat buildings.
Out of the Box Thinking
Our experience and knowledge of the legislation allows us to come up with solutions to problem developments where others fail.
One Stop Shop
We have an extensive list of external consultants that we work with, such as surveyors, engineers and architects, and can find the best one for your project.
Flexibility
Our Town Planners have flexible working hours to help fit our clients needs. We are available for appointments 7 days a week when requested.
Competitive Pricing
We offer highly competitive pricing and produce high quality reports. All our quotes are flat rates so you know exactly how much our services will cost.
Our Blogs
Statement of Environmental Effects Template
We now offer template statement of environmental effects for development applications so you can fill out your own report based on your development. Buy our template statement of environmental effects report.
Outsourcing the Town Planning – A case study
Building Designers! Outsource your statement of environmental effects to Outlook Planning and Development and save time and money! Let us deal with the report so you can focus on the plans!
Property Development Spotlight: Beresfield
Beresfield is one of the biggest hot spots within the Newcastle area with investors and first home buyers flocking to the area to score great prices for great blocks of land. We look at what to look for for development within the area and how to maximise on your investments including dual occupancies and subdivisions.
Dual Occupancy for Beginners (a how to guide for what to look for for dual occupancies)
We attempt to provide a dual occupancy 101 guide for future developers to know what to look for when picking sites for dual occupancy/duplex developments.
Getting approval for unapproved developments
Unapproved works is one of our most common jobs for Outlook Planning and Development. Read our article on what to do and how to deal with the scary letters from Council!
Subdivision of rural zoned land
We explain what to consider when planning a rural subdivision and the various costs and reports associated.
Architectural Plan Drafting now available!
Outlook Planning and Development are now offering architectural plans in addition to our normal town planning services. We are fast becoming the number one planning firm in Sydney and we are excited to add plan drafting to our services.
Thornton Developments Booming
Thornton and Chisholm has become a booming area for investors and first home buyers wanting to leave Sydney and head towards the Hunter Valley. The greater Maitland area is a booming area with plenty of land available for developers.
What can I build without Council Approval?
We explain what types of development you can do without any Council approval for everyone doing their home renovations. Read all about exempt development and what you can build this weekend after a trip to Bunnings to get your DIY tools.
Complying Development Certificates
Want to build a house or renovate but don’t want the hassle of a development application. You might be able to get approval through a private certifier. We take some time to explain what a complying development is and the steps you need to take to obtain a CDC through a private certifier.
Preliminary Planning Assessment – Feasibility Reports
Are you looking at determining what you can do for your property? A Preliminary Planning Assessment can help you determine what your development options are for your site.
Guide to Heritage Impact Statements
Heritage Impact Statements are essential for any development involving a heritage item or heritage conservation area. We go into some of the basics of what makes up a heritage impact statement and who should be preparing them for your development.
How To Write a Development Application Objection Letter
Have you received a notification in the mail about a development application and want to write a submission. We outline some steps to help you prepare a development application objection letter.
Western Sydney Airport Terminal Unveiled
The first concept designs for Western Sydney Airport Terminal have been unveiled.
New Generation Boarding Houses
New generation boarding houses have a lot of negativity at the moment with developers obtaining approvals for large scale boarding house developments. So what exactly is a new generation boarding house?
Northern Beaches Dual Occupancy for beginners
Northern Beaches Town Planners explain Dual occupancy facts on the Northern Beaches including Pittwater, Warringah and Manly. We provide some information on dual occupancy developments on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Where you should be looking and what you should be considering.
Reducing Car Parking in CBDs
We explore the theory that as the amount of parking decreases, the appeal of driving gives way to more environmentally friendly transport modes such as walking, cycling, ride-hailing, car pooling and public transport.
Some evidence suggests reducing or capping parking pays off. In cities that have implemented these measures, driving has declined and public transport use has increased.
SFS Stadium Redevelopment seeks new construction company
The redevelopment of the Sydney Football Stadium has been full of controversy with a massive public backlash to the development.
The development has been subject to a lot of public debate with questions as to why the NSW Government are demolishing a functioning stadium instead of upgrading the stadium at a fraction of the cost.
University of Newcastle Expanding with Honeysuckle Campus
The University of Newcastle has recently submitted a seven building masterplan to the NSW Government for their new education precinct for Honeysuckle in Newcastle.
Objection to Boutique Hotel in Redfern
Outlook Planning and Development were engaged by a group of concerned residents in regards to a nearby development that sought consent to demolish an existing (abandoned) service station to a boutique hotel with 58 guest rooms, car lift and guest facilities.