Trouble in paradise as neighbours oppose Whale Beach super-mansion
There’s trouble brewing in paradise with neighbours in one of Sydney’s most exclusive streets fighting over a multi-millionaire’s plans for a five-level super-mansion.
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There’s trouble brewing in paradise with neighbours in one of Sydney’s most exclusive streets fighting over a multi-millionaire’s plans for a five-level super-mansion.
Jennifer Davies and Hamish Mitchell have lodged plans for the $3.4 million home and swimming pool overlooking Whale Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches.
The plans propose demolishing the existing home on the plot to make way for the five-floor dream home.
However, their neighbours are not happy and have hired planning consultants to fight the development, arguing it is too big and blocks views.
The planned home swamps the footprint of the existing property and will be built partly into the cliff to provide more living space.
The property is accessed from Whale Beach Rd, which drops off sharply towards the beach.
On the top level will be the driveway with a vehicle turntable and garage.
The top level will also feature the main entrance as well as the master bedroom suite and a lift to the lower floors.
The next floor down will feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms with a terrace offering views over the beach.
The next floor is classed as the living level and features a study, kitchen, cool room, dining room, living room and terrace.
Down the next set of stairs takes you to the gymnasium, games room and a sitting area.
On the bottom level is the swimming pool and a shed.
Timber steps and a woodchip pathway then provide private access to the beach.
Livio Panozzo is among the neighbours to call on council to dismiss the plans as he claims the new home will disrupt views from his living area.
He also argues the development will damage the views from the coastal walkway.
“If this DA should be passed then a precedent will have been set for others to nibble away at this irreplaceable asset,” he said in his written submission.
“This would be just the first step. Eventually, to the detriment of the Whale Beach area, the present splendid and iconic views will disappear behind built forms.”
Fellow neighbours Janet France and John Keldoulis said they were “shocked” by the scale of the proposal and “the likely impact this will have on our highly valued beach views”.
Another group of residents has hired the services of Ultimo’s BBC Consulting Planners to make representation on their behalf.
“The proposal is of an excessive bulk and scale and is incongruous with the Palm Beach locality which envisages low density residential area consisting of two storey dwelling houses,” BBC’s director Dan Brindle said in his written statement to council.
“In conclusion, based on a detailed review of the proposal and the DA documentation, we submit that the proposal does not warrant approval.”
Ms Davies and Mr Mitchell initially submitted plans back in May 2018.
Council reported a number of concerns regarding the design which their architect addressed.
The proposal was then granted approval in December.
BBC Consulting Planners, acting on behalf of the aggrieved residents, lodged an appeal against the decision, arguing the approval contravened planning law.
The appeal is yet to be heard.
Clontarf’s Colco Consulting, representing Ms Davies and Mr Mitchell, said while she intends to defend the existing consent, she has decided to make an identical fresh application.
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Wayne Collins, director of Colco Consulting, states this is “in order to ensure that there can be no doubt that all proper processes can be followed by council, and all relevant matters properly considered.”
The Manly Daily has contacted Ms Davies and Mr Mitchell’s representatives for comment.
The existing home was built in 1960 and last changed hands in 2017 when Ms Davies bought it for $4.3 million.
The fresh application is due to be considered in the coming weeks.
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