A PROMINENT Gawler heritage home that has hosted weddings for the past 30 years will continue to do so into the future with the proper permits, after an updated development application was approved by Gawler Council last fortnight.

Cork’s Cottage – located at 27 Seventh Street, Gawler South – is owned by Phil and Val Marsden who for the past three decades have held over 500 public openings at their award-winning garden,
which they have also hired out for ceremonies.

The venue is also utilised by not-for-profit organisation ‘Friendship Force’, which sees overseas visitors stay with local families in Gawler to explore the region and gain a better understanding of
Australian culture.

Late last year, Gawler Council was notified Cork’s Cottage had been operating without a valid Development Authorisation, and subsequent compliance investigations determined the frequency of activities at the site would require the Marsdens to apply for the proper approvals.

The development application subsequently lodged, which was approved by the Gawler Council Assessment Panel in mid-June, caps the maximum amount of guests at any one time at 50 for  weddings, and 25 for community gatherings.

No more than 10 weddings are permitted to be held at Cork’s Cottage annually.

The property’s fencing height will also be increased from 1.5m to 1.8m to limit any noise impact affecting adjoining tenants at 2 Hill Street, after concerns to this effect were raised by landowner Andrew West in a submission to council.

“The expectations for residents to remain quiet (during ceremonies), resultant noise from group weddings, and a low fence line are my concerns,” he said.

“While noise from a wedding is generally not offensive, it certainly creates a disruptive force, for both my tenants and pets.

“Similarly, the odd occasion of having wedding guests peer into the backyard has been noted and is a concern.”

Mr Marsden said he was surprised to learn about the complaint, given he and Val had received “overwhelming support” from their neighbours over the years.

“It has always been our understanding that council has been aware of, and supportive of, our garden openings, whether it be for community groups, as a member of the South Australian Open  Garden scheme, or for garden weddings,” he said.

“Our garden has won awards from Gawler Council in 2012 and 2014, with our openings referenced at the presentation ceremonies.

“Val was made Gawler’s Citizen of the Year in 2016, not just for her community work but in large part because of our garden and its availability to a wide range of groups.

“We are happy to commit to this (development approval) process...ensuring that our minor variant to our residential use of 27 Seventh Street is formally recognised.”

Council received written submissions from Gawler mayor Karen Redman, Gawler councillor Jim Vallelonga, former councillor Kevin Fischer and Member for Light Tony Piccolo, among many others, in support of the Marsdens’ development application.