Family slams towering ‘monstrosity’ being built next door after private certifier sign-off

A Sydney mum has spoken out about her family’s “nightmare” with a “monstrosity” being built next door by a Chinese developer.

A Sydney homeowner has spoken out about her family’s “nightmare” with a double-storey “monstrosity” being built next door by a Chinese developer.

Mum-of-two Livia told A Current Affair on Wednesday that when she built her family home in Concord West 12 years ago, there were strict building rules in place.

But the enormous duplex development now under construction next door, dubbed “The Castle of Concord”, is higher, wider and longer than anything else on the street.

“[It’s] a nightmare — monstrosity,” she told the program.

“It is going to tower over our house. We had no advanced knowledge of what was coming at all, until it was started to be constructed.”

Livia says the giant building is a ‘monstrosity’. Picture: 9News

It’s been dubbed ‘The Castle of Concord’. Picture: 9News

A brick wall now casts a shadow over her property from midafternoon, and when completed the new house will be able to look down into her bathroom and over her backyard.

“We won’t be able to have a bath with the window open,” she said, noting the other house was so close she could nearly touch it.

“It’s the worst thing that could happen to us. We’ll have eyes on us at all times.”

Builder Renovoz Constructions was told off by Canada Bay Council after it erected scaffolding across the property line touching Livia’s home.

The scaffolding has since been moved, but the council has not addressed Livia’s concerns about the development approval.

“Council has undertaken enforcement action ... following a complaint and the compliance issue has subsequently been addressed by the developer,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.

“The approval of the development ... was issued by a private certifier via the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) Low Rise Housing Diversity Code (SEPP).”

Property records show the 601 square metre site was sold to a Chinese developer,

Double Project Pty Ltd, for $2.95 million in December last year.

The property was sold to a Chinese developer last year for $2.95 million. Picture: CoreLogic

A redevelopment plan was signed off by a private certifier. Picture: CoreLogic

“The premium family location and generous land size give this solid character bungalow an exciting sense of potential,” the listing from Raine & Horne Concord read at the time.

“On the market now for the first time in 100 years, the well presented double brick property has been lovingly maintained by the same family for three generations and is now primed for its next chapter in life. Move in, renovate or redevelop, the possibilities are endless for buyers looking to capitalise on a potential-packed home in a highly convenient part of Concord West (subject to council approval).”

Livia said when she built her home, “because we’re sort of attached to the crown land at the end of the street, we were very much restricted in terms of brick colour, in terms of setbacks, in terms of heights and stuff because it had to be harmonious to the other cottages and homes in this area”.

But her new neighbours can legally push the once council-decided boundaries.

The $1 million redevelopment plan was ticked off by a private certifier.

Under NSW law, private certifiers have the power to approve developments provided they comply with building guidelines and are in the public interest.

“Once it’s approved by a private certifier, that’s it, it’s essentially a done deal,” she said.

“None of them want to do anything, they say this is the law, we’re meeting requirements...they don’t want to engage with us in any form whatsoever. The architects, the certifiers and the council should sit down together and the laws need to go back to the other way, to council-approved DAs.”

The certifier, Renovoz Constructions and Fair Trading NSW have been contacted for comment.

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