Claremont House and Lady Clark retirement village stoush erupts over privacy screening and signs

A stoush has erupted over a retirement village’s retrospective planning application for a structure that was built on a neighbouring heritage property without a permit.

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THE management of a retirement village has lodged a permit application for a privacy screen and signs it had already built on the neighbouring land of heritage-listed Claremont House – and the council says it is within its rights to do.

The Lady Clark Centre Association has submitted a retrospective permit application for a screen and two signs on the Claremont House land owned by Joel Van Sanden, at 12 Lady Clark Ave.

The director and vice president of Lady Clark is Glenorchy Alderman Jan Dunsby.

There is no suggestion Ald Dunsby has acted improperly.

Lady Clark signage installed on Claremont House land without permission. Picture: Supplied

Mr Van Sanden bought the property in 2007 from prominent businesswoman Jan Cameron and the 1830s-built mansion is currently open for visitor accommodation, events and tours.

He said the screen and signage in question was installed by the retirement village in late 2019.

Mr Van Sanden said he had first spoken to the council about the issue in January and was told by a planning services co-ordinator that “structures that were built by my neighbours on my land is a civil matter and the council won’t get involved”.

Joel Van Sanden is the owner of Claremont House. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“But now suddenly they are getting involved and have accepted an application for a permit,” he said.

“They [Lady Clark] did not notify me of their intention to apply for a permit and they’ve got an email from me to remove the signage and fence altogether.

“I’ve submitted a representation against the application – not that I thought I should have to because how can someone apply for permits on my land without my written consent?”

Glenorchy Alderman Jan Dunsby is also the director and vice president of Lady Clark retirement village in Claremont.

A GCC spokeswoman said in response to a complaint received about the screening, the council investigated and found a planning permit was required, which was received in March.

“While the applicant does not own the land for which the permit is being sought, the application is valid as the applicant has provided council with a declaration the land owner has been notified of the intention to make the application,” the spokeswoman said.

Mr Van Sanden previously battled the Glenorchy City Council for nine years over whether or not a carpark at the property had to be sealed.

“When I bought the house it was derelict – I’ve spent $3m on it and it’s been fully restored – but I get push backs from council over everything,” he said.

The heritage-listed Claremont House.

Lady Clark president Roy Ormerod said the Board was recently made aware the sign and screen were on neighbouring land.

“At the time it was thought that the and belonged to the Lady Clark Retirement Village,” he said.

“While an application for a permit was subsequently lodged, it has been brought to our knowledge that the owner of the land was not prepared to allow the sign to be installed on his land.

“As a result, the Board has directed management of the Lady Clark Retirement Village to remove the sign as soon as possible. An apology will also be sent to the landowner.”

Public comment on the screening application closes on Tuesday.