Dale McNamara has 7.562ha (19 acres) of land in Waddells Lane, behind Lancasters Singleton, he wants to develop for affordable housing, in particular over 55 living.
The project would allow for 350 homes but only occupy 40 percent of the land with the remainder planned for common areas and recreational and garden space. There will also be ample space for retirees to park their caravans and motorhomes.
The land has been recently surveyed and the proposed housing site is 1.8m higher than existing homes in Waddells Lane and Ellen Avenue.
Dale is pushing the project after he became aware that Singleton Council is looking to reclassify Victoria Square, Cranston Avenue and Albion Park to allow for affordable housing.
He plans to have a home constructed in Singleton so potential buyers can see for themselves the style of homes proposed.
“Council is talking about these parks but this is a short term gain for a long term disaster, there is no need when there is all this land out here,” Dale said.
“Council says its got a housing problem, well I have a solution.”
Dale is a little gun-shy about the project given his experience in the past for these types of developments have been unsuccessful.
Contracts were signed for the sale of the land adjacent to Singleton Hospital some 25 years ago and despite paying a deposit, the sale was withdrawn by NSW Health. Dale had planned a combination of aged care and over 55s living for the site.
He then went through the hoops to build 12 units in Rawcliffe Street but that too did not go ahead. That site is now occupied by a childcare centre.
“I am happy to work with Council, I want this town to go ahead, I don’t want people leaving because of limited housing, I have this land and we can do something now, we can fix it,” he said.
