A 69-lot subdivision to accommodate up to 68 display homes has been approved for Chisholm in the first stage of County Property Group’s Waterford County.

A further 52 lots have also been approved, to be sold to the public.

The estate is north of the existing Timberlane estate and will be reached from Raymond Terrace Road via a new signalised intersection.

County Property director Christopher Bean said builders including AV Jennings, Rawson, Masterton, Wincrest, Allcastle, Coral and Eden Brae Homes had signed up to be part of the village.

Victorian-based Metricon will bring its designs to the Hunter for the first time.

The village is scheduled to open on September 1, 2009.

“The display village will be triple the size of anything we have seen in the Hunter to date,” Mr Bean said.

“(The builders) want a presence in the Hunter Valley. They think it’s a vibrant market and they have specifically targeted Maitland.”

A display home village with the latest new home designs, landscaping and interior design will create a benchmark for the new neighbourhood.

“This will effectively set the standard for the whole suburb,” Mr Bean said.

Council service planning and regulation manager Leanne Harris confirmed the approval for the 69-lot subdivision for the purpose of an exhibition village.

Separate development applications (DA) are required for each display home, expected to be lodged in November or December.

A further DA is also required for the sales office, cafe and public amenities shown in concept form on the approved application.

The exhibition village has a consent period of five years, when the houses will be sold.

Ms Harris said a signalised intersection, main entry road (to be known as The Boulevard) and a further 51-lot residential subdivision were all approved.

The council had a series of new development applications for further residential stages within the estate.

“This is one of a package of DAs that has been approved for this estate and the first within the Chisholm release area, this is therefore an important step in facilitating the future residential development of Chisholm,” she said.