Wollstonecraft: Legal challenge looms over 7-9 Selwyn St townhouse plans amid resident opposition
A legal stoush is brewing over contentious plans to bulldoze historic north shore properties to make way for multistorey townhouses that residents say could cause ‘irrevocable damage’ to the suburb.
North Shore
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Two historic properties in Wollstonecraft are at the centre of an impending legal stoush between a developer and North Sydney Council.
A $10.7m proposal to knock down two terraces at 7-9 Selwyn St are due to be determined in the Land and Environment Court after the plans were met with objections from local residents.
The redevelopment of the site includes bulldozing the current properties to make way for 10 three-storey townhouses.
The project was deemed refused by the council earlier this month – prompting the developer of the project to lodge an appeal to the Land and Environment Court.
The council’s refusal of the plans follows a resident-led campaign to save the properties from the wrecking ball which has included residents meeting with North Sydney mayor Zoe Baker.
On the back of the meeting, a majority of North Sydney councillors in August voted to seek advice on whether the properties could be recognised as local heritage or contributory items, or could be added to established conservation areas.
Mayor Zoe Baker said residents had “expressed shock that the houses” were not currently listed as items of local heritage.
“There is significant community concern and interest that without council acting to protect these dwellings they will be lost,” she said.
Kieren Chidgey, who has lived near the two properties for more than 20 years, said the homes were “significant” for the suburb.
Mr Chidgey said the development, if approved, would “visually dominate” the streetscape.
“The demolition of the properties would remove two very important Federation buildings which are widely appreciated by the wider community – they’re great examples of early architecture in the suburb,” he told a council meeting.
“The demolition would do irrevocable damage to the heritage fabric of the local area.”
Development plans state the proposal is consistent with the local zoning laws and will cause “no adverse impacts” on the surrounding area.
Plans state the development would also meet demand for three-bedroom townhouses in the Wollstonecraft area.
“The demand for this type of property comes from a high net-worth demographic of an ageing population struggling to secure sizeable, low maintenance residences within the Wollstonecraft region, and those who do not wish to opt for apartment living,” the plans state.
“Three-bedroom properties are the most in demand property type in the area and those with the most noticeable shortage.”
Plans show the proposed development includes basement carparking, communal areas and landscaping works.
North Sydney Council planning records show the development has attracted a significant number of submissions, including from John Pill who described the development as being “far too big, too tall, lacking green space and ugly”.
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