HISTORY is repeating itself in real life with the iconic Castle House caught up in another stand-off between its owner and authorities.
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Beechworth developer George Fendyk may need to dial in lawyer Dennis Denuto after sensing a bad vibe Indigo Shire wants to stop the humble abode finding some serenity of its own.
Mr Fendyk bought the house, which was spared demolition to make way for an airport expansion in the movie The Castle, nearly two years ago and transported it to Beechworth in late 2017 to become a manager’s residence for a caravan park he wants to create on the Mayday Hills site.
A planning application was presented to Indigo Shire late last year with council staff recommending it be approved.
But Mr Fendyk has to “suffer in his jocks” with the matter deferred with no date set for reconsideration.
The decision has outraged Mr Fendyk, who is considering walking away from the project due to the frustration in dealing with council and heritage bodies on other elements of Mayday Hills.
“Who do they think they are?” he said.
“The staff said it should go through and then the council turn around and say they want more information.
“It is either right or wrong.
“Three months are going to go by since they made their decision and I’m left sitting here twiddling my thumbs because some people can’t make up their minds.
“It’s crap.
“Why the hell am I busting my arse, using my money to make Mayday Hills, which no one else wants, into a village and we keep getting hit over the head by heritage and now council?
“If they think they can do it better they can buy it off me.”
Objections raised to the caravan park proposal included not aligning with the rural zoning of the land, increased noise and traffic and not fitting the character of the surrounding area.
All concerns were allayed by council planners with conditions imposed.
Indigo mayor Bernard Gaffney said councillors were advised a master-plan for the entire Mayday Hills site was being prepared and wanted to know how the caravan park fitted in.
”There have been a lot of issues with the Mayday Hills site,” he said.
“A number of people have moved into homes on the site with a 999-year lease on the understanding that in a period of time they would obtain title.
“Years have gone by and it’s creating a lot of stress for them.
“I’ve had people approach me in the street and they are almost in despair over this.
“Council is aware of issues with Heritage Victoria.
“I would expect the matter to come back to council at our first meeting in 2019 next month.”
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