PLANS have been submitted to turn part of the old All Saints Anglican site on MacKenzie Street into a function centre and tavern with a rooftop garden and courtyard.
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The $1 million project – lodged with the City of Greater Bendigo earlier this month – also includes a kerbside cafe fronting on to MacKenzie Street.
The Anglican Diocese of Bendigo sold the 140-year-old property for $1.05 million in 2014 after deeming the facilities surplus to requirements. A management plan from 2012 recommended seeking new uses for the site.
The project involves turning the old school building, which previously hosted the View Hill Op Shop, into a function centre for 175 people to be known as MacKenzie Hall.
The tavern, to be called Ms Batterhams – Batty’s Bar, would be established in the basement and could host up to 80 patrons. It is proposed to be open from 10am to 1am, Monday to Saturday, and until 11pm Sunday.
The courtyard area will be located at the rear of the site and includes a 97 square metre rooftop garden for 60 patrons.
The function centre and tavern would create 12 jobs, according to the plans.
The project has been submitted by a Coburg-based individual, and the plans were lodged by Bendigo engineering firm Spiire.
No additional car parking will be created in the area, given the heritage overlay on the site.
The stage in the old school building will be removed and disabled access will be added at the entrance, but the buildings will retain their current faces.
In the application submitted with council, the developer wrote that the project was an appropriate use of the space.
“The subject site is also appropriately located within Bendigo’s city centre, and more specifically, adjacent to the View Street cultural precinct,” the report states.
“It is considered that the proposed premises is complementary to this cultural and tourist precinct and provides an alternative venue for patrons, thus increasing commercial competitiveness.
“The proposal will utilise a currently vacant historical building in a manner that is respectful and complements the historical significance of the site. It also provides an opportunity to share the unique space with the community and visitors to the town.”
Noise is also to be limited to “occasional acoustic music” and no amplification is expected.
The plans are currently on public display with the City of Greater Bendigo.