Stuart Grimshaw settles council dispute over unauthorised works carried out at historic Pymble home

A former chief executive of a leading Australian bank has settled a lengthy legal stoush after a Sydney council uncovered unauthorised building works at his stage heritage-listed home.

The multimillion dollar home is listed as a state heritage item.

A former chief executive of a leading Australian bank has settled a lengthy legal stoush after a Sydney council uncovered unauthorised building works at his stage heritage-listed home.

Stuart Grimshaw – the former chief executive of Bank of Queensland – and his wife Anneliese have agreed to restore sections of their Pymble home after unauthorised works were carried out without the approval of local council planning authorities.

The home – known as Eric Pratten House or Coppins – dates back to 1936 and is listed as a state heritage item in recognition of its grand stature and architectural excellence.

The home was designed by prominent late American architect Walter Burley Griffin who is widely known for designing the early layout of Canberra as well as several NSW towns including Griffith and the Sydney suburb of Castlecrag.

The home is recognised as one of Griffin’s largest domestic projects in Australia and was added to the NSW State Heritage Register in 2000.

Former chief of Bank of Queensland Stuart Grimshaw.

A court has heard the authorised works at the property included the removal of a number of its original features including timber solid doors which were replaced with glazed doors.

Other items removed from the home included a fireplace, mantle and an original windmill.

Authorised additions to the home including a new security gate, cubby house and an outdoor pizza oven.

A photo of the historic property.

In response to the works, the local planning authority – Ku-ring-gai Council – issued a demolition works order as a separate order for parts of the property to be restored.

The orders came after the council carried out an inspection of the home in September last year.

But Mr Grimshaw appealed the orders of the Land and Environment Court.

During the proceedings, an agreement was reached between the council and Mr Grimshaw on modified orders that will require the reinstatement of heritage items that were removed.

The property was designed by Walter Burley Griffin.

The modified orders include restoration works to the door, fireplace and the windmill. The modified order also requires the door to be replaced within a two month time frame, while the original windmill at the property must be reinstated by December 1.

In a statement, Ku-ring-gai Council said the council was “satisfied that the court order will address the key elements of the property that required reinstatement”.

“Ku-ring-gai Council has several policies in place to ensure that local heritage items are protected as much as possible,” a council spokeswoman said.

“Planning policies include the creation of heritage conservation areas and legal protections for properties classed as local heritage items.”

CoreLogic data figures show the home was last sold in 2020 for $13m.

Mr Grimshaw was contacted for comment but declined to comment on the matter.