The amendment seeks to provide specific objectives and controls to guide the future development of residential dwellings with direct frontage to the Maryland State Heritage Curtilage.

The DCP controls are required to ensure residential development complements:

• the topography of the site;
• the setting of the Maryland Homestead and associated outbuildings; and
• the historical rural character, without replicating architectural details.

The amendment introduces a new Part B section to Schedule 6 - Lowes Creek Maryland Precinct of the Camden Growth Centre Precinct DCP which consists of site-specific objectives and controls. In summary, the site-specific controls relate to:

• residential built form;
• street facades and visible elevations;
• corner sites;
• roofs;
• building materials;
• fencing; and
• special heritage local streets.

On 16 July 2021, the site was rezoned as part of the Lowes Creek Maryland Precinct by the Department of Planning and Environment. The Lowes Creek Maryland Precinct accommodates up to 7,000 new homes 2,200 new jobs, a local centre, a new school and a community facility, along with open space, cycling and pedestrian paths.

As part of the rezoning, Schedule 6 – Lowes Creek Maryland Precinct of the Camden Growth Centre Precincts DCP included objectives and controls to protect and conserve the rural and visual curtilage of the Maryland Estate.

More detailed planning and design controls in the form of a Part B DCP Amendment were required by the DCP to guide new residential development with direct frontage to the Maryland State Heritage Curtilage (see Section 4.3 of Schedule 6 Lowes Creek Maryland DCP).

On 11 March 2025, Council endorsed the Part B DCP Amendment proceeding to public exhibition. You can view the Council meeting report and minutes here: 2025 Business Papers and Minutes » Camden Council.