By Derek Schlennstedt
Victoria’s historic Burnham Beeches Estate has been granted a planning permit for a hotel and function centre, and all the beech trees at the Sherbrooke Road access to the site will also be preserved.
The planning permit was granted by Minister for Planning Richard Wynne, who reiterated under strict conditions that every beech Tree along the road is to be preserved.
The planning permit also allows for the development of a 55 room hotel, function centre, shop, brewery and two food and drink premises.
“This project ticks all the boxes. It’s going to create local jobs and encourage tourism, making the region more attractive than ever,” Mr Wynne said.
“Being on the Victorian Heritage Register means any development on the Burnham Beeches Estate will have to respect the character and the history that makes the site so special.”
Earlier in the year close to 5000 supporters signed a petition urging Victorian Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, to ignore a planning amendment before him related to the redevelopment of Burnham Beeches that would effectively remove as many as 13 of the beech trees.
In the original plan the trees were required to be removed in order to accommodate road widening works at the estate’s entrance.
Member for Monbulk, James Merlino said it was a “terrific outcome” for everyone involved.
“The Minister for Planning has granted the permit and this was the last hurdle of ensuring we can restore this stunning 1930’s historic building.”
“The key thing for the community was the future of the beech trees out for the front as you enter into the Burnham Beeches Estate and there was a possibility that a significant number of those trees would be removed.”
“I really want to pay tribute to everybody – whether it was the proponents from Burnham Beeches itself, the community, the planning department – everyone has been working towards saving as many trees as possible and to get to an outcome where not one single tree will need to be removed is outstanding.
“It’s Burnham Beeches after all.”
