Balgowlah, Sydney Rd: Boarding house gets nod from planners despite being too big

Planning officials have allowed a boarding house to go ahead on the northern beaches, which critics say will “stack” in too many residents.

A boarding house which critics argue is trying to “stack too many people into too small a space” has been given the go-ahead by planning authorities on the northern beaches.

The four-storey, 14-room facility will be built next to a BP service station on busy Sydney Rd at Balgowlah.

It is about 120 metres east of Balgowlah Boys High School and attracted more than 30 public submissions urging that the plan be rejected.

The independent Northern Beaches Local Planning voted unanimously to allow the demolition of a three-bedroom home, built in 1940, to make way for the boarding house that can accommodate up to 19 residents, some in double rooms.

Even though the block will be close to 20 per cent higher than that permitted by local planning rules, the panel stated in its written decision that there was “sufficient environmental grounds to justify the (height) contraventions”.

“(It) will be in the public interest because it is consistent with the objectives of the standards and the objectives for development within the zone.”

But at the panels’s latest public meeting neighbours told the officials that the block would disrupt their privacy, be noisy and create more traffic on backstreets.

Critics, who described it as an “imposing structure”, say it is trying to fit too many people into a small space. Picture: Design Workshop Australia

Fergus Little, who lives in a block of units next door, told the panel that while he was not anti-development this project “goes way too far”.

Mr Little called on the officials to reduce the number of people in the boarding house and make it less of an “imposing structure”.

“You are trying to stack too many people in too small a space”,

Another local, Anthony Ristuccia said five proposed “balconettes” would overlook his property in Audrey St.

Mr Ristuccia said the boarding house would “diminish privacy, amenity and the morning sun we’ve come to enjoy over a 20-year span (living) here.

A 3-bedroom house (left) to be demolished for a proposed 4-storey, 14-room boarding house next door to the BP service station on Sydney Rd, Balgowlah. Picture: Google Maps

Robert Gizzi, the architect for the developer, told the panel that the concerns of neighbours and suggestions of Northern Beaches Council officers had been taken into account when the plans were adjusted to meet planning approval.

In documents lodge with the DA the developer said the boarding house aimed to provide accommodation to single people or couple on low to moderate incomes.

It would also help workers, including essential or key workers, find a home closer to where they work and would help address a shortfall of affordable housing stock on the northern beaches, the documents stated.

Mr Gizzi said improvements were made to meet the privacy needs of neighbours and to alleviate traffic concerns.

“There has been an extremely respectful response to the objectors and the neighbours.”

The Education Department has been contacted for comment.