Little Keen St decision in order

CONCERNS Lismore council “rushed” through a development application that included removal of an historic workers’ cottage are unfounded, councillor says.

LAST LOOK: The house in Little Keen St ready for removal. Picture: Dominic Feain

CONCERNS Lismore City Council planning staff had "rushed" through a development application in Little Keen St - which included removal of an historic workers' cottage - were unfounded, according to Councillor Vanessa Ekins.

Cr Ekins was nonetheless disappointed the removal of the cottage would still go ahead.

"I'm satisfied that staff had approved the DA before Simon (Clough) and I requested it go before councillors," she said.

Development applications have to go before council if called up by two or more councillors.

The councillors were responding to concerns by members of the Little Keen St community, which shares a garden, social soccer games and other activities, that the development was out of keeping with the street.

Little Keen St resident John Trapp said his neighbours were upset with the council for approving a commercial car park on the street, requiring the removal of the timber cottage.

"Council approved the development application in just three days from the close of our submissions," he said.

"It was unusually quick and thereby didn't allow us time to take it to a council meeting for determination."

Cr Ekins said staff had followed correct procedure and residents needed to get onto such developments sooner and contact councillors earlier if they had concerns.

She added staff hadn't allowed access to the car park from Little Keen St which prevented any added traffic to the quiet street.

She is planning to introduce a motion at the next council meeting to have Little Keen St heritage listed.

Councillor Simon Clough said he had a number of concerns about the development.

"One is losing affordable housing when there's a housing crisis, and the other is impact of having a car park in a residential area like Little Keen St," he said

"Vanessa has proposed, and I certainly support it, that we get a heritage listing on Little Keen St... particularly on the western side."