A further Development Application (DA) has been lodged with Council for redevelopment of “Durham Court”, 417 Glebe Point Road. Council received many objections from local residents against the previous DA for this property, and the owner has now submitted this new application. Any objections against this DA close on 13th March 2012.
Following the Planning Committee meeting of 5 March it seems likely the City will adopt its new Plan as amended. This means stronger controls over development. The amendments include almost all those proposed by the Society:
1. Greater protection for Glebe’s foreshore parks
2. Special infrastructure zoning for public buildings
3. Consistent and increased Heritage listings
4. Reduced maximum heights for new development in certain key parts of Glebe, especially Allen Street and Cook Street, but also for parts of Glebe Point Road.
The Height and density controls for Durham Court , 417 Glebe Point Road, have been reduced, and this makes it more difficult for the present owners to gain approval for their present very large redevelopment proposal.
The Society accepts there will be a redevelopment of this site, currently a collection of 1920s flats, at some stage. However, we suggest this takes place within the existing building envelope and with minimal impact on neighbours.
In order to secure this outcome, we ask members to object to the current proposal on the grounds of excessive density and height, and request that any new proposal should not exceed the limits imposed by the new CityPlan.
One comment. Please add yours.
As I live in 415 I have a direct interest in this – but I am in any case disturbed by the inaccuracies in the application material. They have reused the arborists report from 2007 even though it was inaccurate at the time and is more so now. Celtis trees? What Celtis trees? They have 415 as one storey townhouses whereas they are two. 417 does not have a 'private' bit of the laneway at the back as the palns suggest. 415 goes right back to the lane and can be shown to have done so in 1908 when the three divisions (2,3,4) of what is now 417 were marketed. The Heritage report is taken from existing Heritage listings but ignores the National Trust one where the significance of the 'collection of 1920s flats' was recognised as an early example of purpose built small units for low income private rental. I am all for affordable housing but how do you have 3 units for sale in the same block? private affordable housing has to have a manager.Who will that be? After 10 years it can be sold _ will it stay affordable then?. And why is affordable housing so small and why is there no associated parking? Whose streets will be parked out?