Parramatta Council fights to block boarding houses across the local government area

GUILDFORD is in danger of becoming a “boarding house city”, a Parramatta councillor has warned.

The site of proposed boarding houses on 364-366 Woodville Road, Guildford.

GUILDFORD is in danger of becoming a “boarding house city”, a Parramatta councillor has warned.

The warning comes as Parramatta Council continues to fight against the ­development of boarding houses in the area, but the decision might be taken out of its hands.

The council refused to grant development applications for two new boarding houses in Woodville Rd, Guildford, at a council meeting on October 12.

Development applications have been put in for two new boarding houses at 364 and 366 Woodville Road, Guildford.

The applications were for a 24-room boarding to house 40 lodgers at 366 Woodville Rd and a 10-room establishment for 19 lodgers on the adjoining property at 364 Woodville Rd.

“The proposal fails to demonstrate there’ll be no cumulative, social effects on the residents,” Parramatta Deputy Lord Mayor Steven Issa said.

Cr Issa said the two developments would be located within 200m of two existing boarding houses.

“I don’t think it’s right for our area to be overrun by boarding houses,” he said.

In a submission to the State Government, Parramatta Council has called for an exemption from the boarding house provisions of the State Environment Planning Policy.

Councillor Glenn Elmore said Guildford was in danger of becoming a “boarding house city”.

The council also asked for an amendment to prohibit boarding houses in low density zones and not within 300m of an existing or ­approved boarding house.

Woodville ward councillor Glenn Elmore backed the council’s stance.

“We don’t want to see more and more a ­proliferation of boarding houses on Woodville Rd,” Cr Elmore said.

Elizabeth Macarthur ward councillor John Chedid said council kept facing the same issues when it came to development applications for boarding houses.

Former Parramatta Lord Mayor John Chedid said council needed further clarification when it came to boarding houses.

Cr Chedid said the application would likely go before the Land and Environment Court and be approved, ­despite council’s objections.

A Department of Planning spokesman said boarding houses provided affordable housing for people who needed it, close to transport, jobs and education.

“The department is continuing to work with the council through the detail of its proposal to develop local planning controls that will support well-designed, safe and affordable boarding accommodation in ­Parramatta,” he said.