Cricket legend David Boon and wife Philippa take Hobart City Council to planning tribunal over DA refusal

Tasmanian icon David Boon will fight the Hobart City Council over its refusal of an application to extend his Sandy Bay property due to concerns from neighbours, one of which labelled the plans “simply abhorrent.”

• Former Test great David Boon joins the Cricket Tasmania board of directors
• Memorial to be held for Hobart property kingpin Ali Sultan who passed away after bushwalking

TASMANIAN cricket legend David Boon will fight the Hobart City Council over its refusal for plans to extend his Sandy Bay property, which have been labelled by one objecting neighbour as “simply abhorrent.”

The sporting star and his wife Philippa bought the 1923-built, three-bedroom Inter-War Californian bungalow in 2019 for $980,000.

Their $485,000 development proposal includes the demolition of a lean-to, shed and garage plus a new two-storey extension of the rear of the existing property, which would feature two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathrooms, living/dining room and a deck.

Pip and David Boon at the 2017 Allan Border Medal held at The Star in Pyrmont. Picture: Christian Gilles

Council planning officers recommended the application for approval, but elected members refused it 7-4 in December on heritage grounds, including that the extension to the existing building would “detract from the historic cultural heritage significance of the precinct.”

After the application was recommended for refusal by council’s planning committee, a meeting was held between the applicants and a number of representors at the council’s office.

“At the meeting, the applicants proposed some alterations to the proposal,” a council memo said.

“The representors were not satisfied their concerns were properly addressed by the

proposed amendments and they all continue to oppose the application.”

There were 18 representations lodged against the plans, mostly objecting to what they considered would be a negative impact on surrounding properties.

“Backyards are used for leisure, gardening, playing, they are a fundamental characteristic of the precinct and a characteristic of a garden city – to build a large and complete double storey house in a backyard of this precinct is simply abhorrent,” one objector wrote.

“It is effectively two dwellings joined by a corridor and will set a poor precedent in the area,” another wrote.

Boonie’s home – which he’s trying to add another story to.

The property is located within a heritage precinct known as Golf Links Estate, which is considered one of the largest historical subdivisions in Hobart.

Council documents show the Boon’s architect first approached council in April 2020 and concerns were raised then about the height of the proposed extension.

“The proposed height of the development is problematic and is unlikely to gain support from council’s heritage officers,” the documents said.

“The use of a two storey addition in a predominantly single storey townscape is considered unfortunate...it could be argued the proposed extension has been designed to the absolute maximum limits of the scheme, with poor regard to the non-statutory heritage values of the precinct and it’s neighbourhood character.

“However, the proposal would not result in serious detriment to the original residence in its role within the immediate streetscape.”

Simmons Wolfhagen Lawyers have lodged an appeal of the refusal with the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal on behalf of the Boons.

The matter is listed for a two-day hearing on March 22-23.

Mr Boon did not wish to comment.