Hollies has charm but no heritage value - expert
A landscape architect expert described The Hollies as a property of “local charm” but said he was not convinced of its heritage value.
John Patrick acknowledged there were some beautiful trees on The Hollies site but as individual plantings said they did not justify heritage protection.
Mr Patrick and heritage expert Bryce Raworth supported the case presented by Planning and Property Partners lawyer Scott Edwards who said the heritage overlay had no merit and should be abandoned.
Mr Patrick said the siting of the house and surrounding trees and vegetation did not suggest a designed garden that could have been planted by Bishop Green during his ownership.
While acknowledging two oak trees on the property were notable and “lovely specimens,” he said they were individual trees, not heritage trees.
Mr Patrick said the hedge along the southern boundary of the property was typical of a farm property and may have “modest” heritage value.
“Much of the other vegetation is the result of birds and weed spread. The trees as individual trees are fine trees and warrant protection but not under a heritage overlay across the whole site,” he said.
Mr Patrick admitted the avenue of trees along the driveway, that was removed last year, was an example of a planned planting but in itself did not warrant a heritage overlay.
Heritage expert Bryce Raworth told the hearing the proposed heritage overlay amendment failed to meet the criteria required for a site of local significance.
He said a holiday house was no doubt important to Bishop Green’s personal life but it only became significant in a local area when it was e place where he carried out his ministry.
“There is no doubt he is an important figure and an important person but his sphere of importance was in relation to Ballarat.
“While he came to Drouin regularly, and may have been someone who got his name in the newspaper, they are not the things that made Bishop Green significant and they are not significant moments in the life of Drouin because he was there,” he said.
Mr Raworth said the house was like “a building that has already been served a death warrant but is awaiting execution of that warrant.”
He said the structure of The Hollies house suggested there were several phases of construction and architect William Chandler may have been engaged for extension works rather than construction.
Mr Edwards said the amendment had little merit. “It is our view that anything other than abandonment would be an error.”
Mr Edwards said the importance of Bishop Green to the heritage value of the property was substantially overstated.
He said it was not disputed that Bishop Green was a notable person with an interesting story.
“But it is not the case that a person of note is inherited with a heritage Midas touch,” he said
Mr Edwards said it was highly relevant that council’s 2011 heritage study did not include the site.
“The 2011 study identified six sites in Main South Rd, none of which was this site.
“This has not featured in any previous heritage study…it was only raised when my client took possession of the land and sought to develop that land in line with the Drouin PSP,” he said.
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