East Belford resident Adelaide Thompson used public access to raise concerns about storm water which she described as a “problem”.

She also raised concerns about noise and said she hoped that developers would liaise with neighbours when addressing noise and vibration concerns.

Cr Alison Howlett was absent from Monday’s meeting.

Residents object

Lack of notification adds to anger

NEIGHBOURS of the soon- to- be Belford service stations are furious with the lack of consultation regarding the developments.

Locals living in Swain Street, Lovell and Kelman Streets say they have been ignored and are angry their concerns have not been addressed.

Swain Street local Pat Heuston, who lives opposite Swain Street development, said residents had been made to feel like “nobodies”.

She said despite raising concerns they had fallen on deaf ears and was furious residents were not given sufficient notice to object.

“Last Wednesday (January 27) we received a letter in the mail,” Mrs Heuston said angrily.

“We have had no consultation from Council or from the investors” she said.

East Belford resident Adelaide Thompson said locals were shocked and angry.

“I choked when we read it (letter), we thought it was dead and buried,” she said.

Mrs Thompson is furious residents were not consulted during the development application process.

“It’s un-Australian not to talk to your neighbours especially when you move into a country town!” she exclaimed.

Christina Battams who lives in Kelman Street said the meeting should have been pushed back to give residents more time.

“I rang Council and begged them to postpone the meeting because we weren’t given any notice but I was told it can’t happen,” she said.

With both developments set to go ahead all residents ask now is to be informed about the changes in their community and to have contact from developers to alleviate some of their concerns.

Project to coincide with F3 construction

DEVELOPERS of the Hermitage Road highway service centre have said construction of the site will coincide with the Hunter Expressway.

“It’s best to tie in with the completion of the Hunter Expressway,” Hardie Holdings development manager Jamie Boswell said yesterday.

Mr Boswell said the Hunter Expressway had created a new demand for services along the New England Highway with Belford the ideal location.

“Coming from Sydney after the Ourimbah twin service stations this will be the first place you can stop,” he said.

Mr Boswell said a 99 room motel would provide accommodation for travellers as well as creating a new, cheaper market for visitors to Hunter Valley vineyards.

“This style of accommodation is not catered for around the vineyards,” he added.

Unable to disclose interested companies, he said the motel would be similar to Formula 1 or Ibis style accommodation.

Mr Boswell said the highway service centre would be smaller than the F3 service stations.

Mr Boswell said he would take the residents concerns on board and naturally, would adhere to council’s conditions.

Attempts by The Singleton Argus to contact County Property Holdings Pty Ltd for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.