Long Point Coptic church plansm approved by Environment Court

1/3/2010

CONTROVERSIAL plans for expansions to Long Point’s Pope Shenouda Coptic Church have been approved by the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Senior Commissioner Tim Moore upheld the church’s appeal on February 19, saying there was no longer any basis upon which the proposal, in its present form, could have been refused.

The plans were rejected by Campbelltown Council in July, 2007, amid cheers from the public gallery. Residents against the proposal had also held protests outside the church in the lead-up to the council’s decision.

Plans include extensions to the church, installing a loop road on the property, a new parking area, library, dormitory and relocating the soccer field.

The council opposed the development because of insufficient on-site parking and environmental and visual impacts on the area.

Steering committee secretary for the project Fares Hanna said the Coptic community was thankful the court upheld the appeal.

“We would have preferred not to go to the court but unfortunately we were pushed towards this path and would have preferred to have resolve matters amicably,” he said. “The whole Coptic community is very disappointed with the councillors, who refused the project on four occasions, and disappointed about the council representatives and the neighbours who tried to stop the project by any means. However we will endeavour and continue to build a good relationship with everyone as we are a Christian community and we follow the teachings of the Bible which tells us to love your neighbours and even love your enemies.”

Long Point resident David Stubbington described the situation as a total disaster. “The development’s going to be a heck of a problem in the area because the soccer field, directly opposite my place, will become the dormitory,” he said.

Campbelltown Mayor Aaron Rule was disappointed at the court’s decision. “Clearly we’re very disappointed because council took the position that it was an inappropriate development on that site,” he said.

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