Farm in wedding business

Planning application

A HISTORIC 63ha Bell Post Hill property will become a luxury wedding and events venue if a planning application is approved.

The owners of the working Harrison Farm, home to Bellevue House, have lodged a planning application with the City of Greater Geelong to devote about 2ha of land to hosting high-end weddings

Under the plans, the farm and historic house, that doubles as a bed and breakfast, would house temporary marquees and an outdoor performance space. Existing buildings would be converted to cater for the events, while the current bed and breakfast would continue to operate.

Bellevue House is widely regarded as one of Geelong most historic farm houses. The 20 Evans Rd property has been open to the public for a number of years as a bed and breakfast and its website states that weddings and private functions are “coming soon”.

Ewan Harrison said the farm had been in his family for 160 years and he was looking to find ways to open the property to the community.

Mr Harrison said if the permits were approved the farm would become a venue where hosts could hold parties.

He said Harrison Farms would rent the space and rooms but would not provide catering.

“There is nothing really in the Lovely Banks area that offers this and I thought it would be nice to offer our gardens to other people want to use them,” he said.

“They can come in and do what they want, within guidelines, and enjoy the area.”

Evolve Town Planning has submitted an application seeking approval for the land to be rezoned as a function centre. If approved, the property would carer for up to 300 people.

“The primary focus will be on catering for high-end wedding ceremonies and receptions. Harrison Estate will offer guests the flexibility to create their own day, including access to multiple garden ceremony locations and use either the lawns areas for marquee receptions or use of the converted shed,” the application states.

If approved, it would hold up to 30 functions a year — 20 for 80-120 and 10 with up to 300 people. The application states only one wedding would be held each weekend and not between June and August to allow for ongoing property maintenance.

The application was lodged in December and can be viewed on the City of Greater Geelong website.