BATHURST councillors have unanimously rejected the advice of senior planning staff to knock back an application to build a two-storey home on a dual occupancy block on Lambert Street.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bathurst Regional Council had previously rejected a development application for the rear of 261 Lambert Street on the grounds the plans had provided no on-site visitor parking and concerns that the development would adversely impact neighbours "in terms of visual impact, overshadowing and privacy".
The applicant made minor alterations to the plans before requesting a review and while environmental planning and building services director Neil Southorn was satisfied with the changes, it was a much different story when the DA went to council on Wednesday night.
Councillor Monica Morse said the two-storey home was not appropriate for that part of Bathurst, even if it was allowed under current planning rules.
"We need to look at the rules that govern our heritage, we need to look at how we can save certain streets," Cr Morse said.
"... We say that people come to Bathurst to look at our heritage, it's a tourist destination for visitors.
"From where I'm standing tonight I can say that Bathurst is of interest to people who can see first-hand what not to do about a city's precious heritage.
"If we go ahead with this Lambert Street development it is a really bad example of how we are not looking after our heritage."
Cr Bobby Bourke also spoke against the development, citing overshadowing and privacy concerns and the loss of old trees.
Earlier, councillors had heard from neighbour Lorraine Sargeant who said the proposed development would put a two-storey dwelling "right over my back fence".
"I am faced with the possibility of an investor who is determined to build a two-storey dwelling that is virtually in my backyard," Ms Sargeant said.
"I accept the plans have changed but the change is marginal ... The amended plans do not change the overshadowing of my backyard, the amended plans do not change the impingement on my amenity of the fact that my privacy would be intruded upon.
"The amended plans are not in keeping with the streetscape and with our heritage area, and the amended plans also discard the two old trees in my neighbour's backyard because they are close to the back fence and the footings of a new development would affect tree roots and over time the trees would become an issue."
That neighbour, Donna O'Keeffe, also addressed councillors during public question time urging them to knock back the DA.
