Le Clos Verdun on the rise: 20 years on

The plan to re-divide “Le Clos Verdun”, if approved, would deliver a rural residential lifestyle within 15 minutes of Port Macquarie.

And it would open the door for a financial return to investors.

An application, before the state government, sets out a proposal to re-divide the land at Sancrox Rd, 15km west of Port Macquarie, into more than 140 rural residential lots under community title.

“This development will have a positive social impact in establishing a desirable residential address within an attractive rural residential environment,” the application said.

Le Clos Verdun, created in the late 1980s, was was registered in 1989 as a shared lot viticulture/residential farming enterprise.

The agricultural venture failed and the development now fails to meet health and building standards for residential occupation of the land.

Many investors spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the 1980s.

“They have since suffered ongoing costs associated with its retention,” the application said.

“In its present state, particularly now with the inability to build on their land, their investment is virtually worthless unless it is redeveloped.”

The proposal would “upsize” the existing lots and provide for about 60 extra lots.

The plan will be decided under Part 3A provisions due to the land’s sensitive coastal location.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council building and development assessment manager Dan Croft said the Part 3A application was on exhibition with a voluntary planning agreement, under which the developer would provide necessary road and water upgrades.

“The voluntary planning agreement is a fairly significant milestone to move forward,” Mr Croft said.

The council will assess the Part 3A application and provide a report to the Planning Minister for determination.

The proposal is available to view at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and at the www.planning.nsw.gov.au