BATHURST Regional councillors have gone against advice from senior staff, refusing to give consent to property owners to build a shed they deemed too big.
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The owners of 25 Meagher Street had lodged a development application (DA) proposing to construct a 16-metre long, six-metre wide and 4.212-metre high shed, with a bathroom.
The residential block has an area of 749.1 square metres and the proposed floor area of the shed would be 96 square metres.
A DA hasn't been received for a dwelling on the site.
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In his report to last week's council meeting, director of Environmental, Planning and Building Services Neil Southorn noted that the proposal did comply with the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and the Development Control Plan (DCP).
"The proposal is consistent with the objectives of the zone and the relevant development control standards. It is therefore recommended that the DA be approved," he said.
However, the proposal concerned councillors, to the point that they unanimously voted to refuse consent.
Councillor Monica Morse felt council needed to see plans for a house first and then see where a shed fits in.
She and other councillors also raised concerns about the impact a shed of that size would have on neighbours and the overall streetscape.
Seven submissions had been received in relation to the DA, which took issue with the overall size of the shed in a residential area.
"It's immediate impact on the immediate neighbour is just unacceptable, it's just not considerate to have 4.2 metres outside your front door when you go to get the paper in the morning," Cr Jess Jennings said.
"But it's not just that, it's the entire streetscape that is actually being offended by this corner block issue."
Cr John Fry had similar views, saying "It really is just a bit too big of a scale for that area".
He said he was confident the owners would get their shed, but it would need to be looked again with the house factored into a decision.
Council will advise the owners that the shed may be reconsidered when approval is granted for a dwelling.
