Development application for 136 New South Head Rd Edgecliff casts shadow
Edgecliff residents are rallying against a proposed commercial development in the heart of the suburb which they say will turn their neighbouring units into a “shadowy slum”.
Wentworth Courier
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Edgecliff residents are rallying against a proposed commercial development in the heart of the suburb which they say will turn their neighbouring units into a “shadowy slum”.
The heritage listed two storey 1920s era building at 136 New South Head Rd is currently tenanted to Bickmore-Hutt Realty and studio Jom Photo and sits opposite the train station, Edgecliff Centre and Eastpoint Food Fair.
Developers want to spend $5.7 million to add a further three storeys to the site and undertake internal alterations while preserving the heritage facade.
So far a petition has been started and five objections have been flagged with Woollahra Council since the development application was lodged in December.
The residents are incensed by the 19.6m height of the proposal which towers over the 14.5m limit of the area and which they believe will deprive neighbours of sunlight.
“It breaks all planning laws and will turn the neighbouring block of flats into a shadowy slum,” wrote Kris Viner when signing the petition.
“It also uses its illegal height to block views from neighbours who are abiding by the height laws.”
Petition author Emilia Drozda was similarly upset.
“The proposed commercial building is in complete violation of council laws – the owners were well aware of these rules when they purchased the site,” she wrote.
“The building is detrimental to the area in many ways, but most of all on the residents in the neighbouring apartment buildings who will lose all access to sunlight, privacy, parking and city views.”
In planning documents submitted to Woollahra council, developers admit there will be some overshadowing but describes it as “appropriate’.
“At 9am, minor overshadowing occurs to the commercial building at 1 New McLean St and the adjoining roadway,” documents read.
“At 12 noon … some shadowing occurs to the roadway and footpath along Darling Point Road and New South Head Rd.
“At 3pm, the proposal limits solar access to windows on the western elevation of 138-140 New South Head Rd, the roadway and footpath on New South Head Rd.”
In defence of their proposal, developers argue it “will encourage new employment opportunities in an accessible location through incorporating four new spacious commercial tenancies on the site.”
“The subject site is in a highly accessible location close to public transport routes
including bus and train services.”
In September Woollahra Council refused to support a request to amend planning controls to allow a 16 storey boutique hotel development on the site.