Duplication in respite houses

I AM writing in response to your article concerning the proposed respite house for 11 Layton Lane, Easternview Estate (The Border Mail, November 28).

As a resident of Easternview Estate I understand that facilities do need to be constructed to cope with the increasing demand for such services and many in the community would agree.

The respite house in Robbins Drive cost $425,000 to purchase with an additional $282,712 spent on refurbishment; the house in Layton Lane was purchased for $470,000 with an extra $180,000 earmarked for refurbishment.

Combined expenditure for these two projects is $1,357,712 for two houses within 300m.

There is duplication of resources, ambulance docking bays in each house, staff offices, extra parking not to mention spending top dollar for a new home and effectively gutting it to make provision for disabled facilities.

The authorities should consult local developers and ask them for suitable sites in developing estates where people moving into the area can choose whether or not they need to live close to these services.

I’m sure with the amount of money involved a workable solution can be achieved as opposed to the Department of Commerce exercising State Environmental Planning Policy No 9 and basically overriding council planning policy causing angst among residents.

— DARREN STEVENSON,

Albury