Planning and Environment Court upholds Brisbane City Council rejection of Fenton House proposal

THE historic Fenton House at New Farm is staying put, following a court decision to refuse a development application which wanted to move it for townhouses.

New Farm's historic Fenton House. Picture: Liam Kidston

THE Planning and Environment Court has upheld Brisbane City Council’s decision to refuse a development application to move New Farm’s historic Fenton House.

The property, at 388 Bowen Tce, New Farm, was bought for more than $2 million in 2015 by Alloa Properties Group Pty Ltd who applied to council to relocate the historic house and build three-level townhouses fronting the laneway at the rear of the property.

Council rejected the ­application last year and the matter was referred to the Planning & Environment Court in July 2016.

Cr Vicki Howard (Central) said the Court’s judgment confirmed Council’s 2016 decision.

“I conveyed my objection to what was being proposed early in the assessment process and relayed community feedback to the assessment team,” Cr Howard said.

Judy Noble was concerned by the proposed development to move one of New Farm's most historic homes and build townhouses behind it on its old gardens. Picture: Liam Kidston

“My view which has been supported by the Court, is that what gives Fenton House its heritage value is the surrounding gardens and trees, which would all be lost if the owner moved the house.”

Cr Howard said Council had also placed protection over the large jacaranda tree so it was “preserved for the future, because of its heritage value”.

Fenton House.

“This property is not only beautiful, it is part of our suburb history.”

In June 2016, resident Judy Noble told the City North News thecommunity had objected to the development because the property was an example of the work of one of the finest architects (Robin Dods) of the time.

“It (Fenton House) is listed on Council’s heritage register and Brisbane needs to retain homes of this importance, to keep our ­history.”

In documents presented to the Court, Council refused the application because it said the proposal was contrary to the Strategic Intent of the Strategic Framework of the City Plan 2014 and did not “sufficiently protect the garden setting and overall status of the existing heritage house”.

City North News contacted HWL Ebsworth Lawyers acting for the developers Alloa Properties Group Pty Ltd but received no reply to questions about the Court’s decision.