In today's urban design world, we often see unattractive new developments filling the empty spaces assigned for new communities to flourish. Beauty has become the forgotten piece of the puzzle of today’s modern design hotchpotch, where the focus is  on quantity over quality. Derived from housing stock shortfalls and cost of living constraints, the temptation to build for utility has become the norm, to the detriment of those wanting a pleasant place to live. What if traditional developments (i.e. new urbanism) holds the key to resolving this problem?

Property owners are generally allowed to make minor alterations to their buildings and property without council approval, such as installing fences or a garden shed. However, if any changes have the potential to impact the surrounding environment, including neighbouring properties, permission from the local council may be required. A Development Application (DA) covers these types of development, which can range from simple works, such as a rear extension or pool, to more complex developments such as an apartment development or a row of townhouses.

iObject is grateful that another slice of local Sydney heritage has been saved from the threat of being knocked-down. iObject’s work to prevent the demolition of a contributory within a Rose Bay Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) involved preparing a detailed planning submission to Woollahra Municipal Council. This contentious proposal sought to demolish an existing Californian Bungalow and construct a new three-storey residential flat building (RFB) with basement parking.

Neighbourhood character is possibly one of the most disregarded planning principles, often left as a footnote in contemporary development assessment. This remarkable case study highlights some of the threats to neighbourhood character, and the apparent indifference by both the Council (which recommended approval) and the Local Planning Panel (which granted approval) for their own DCP character controls.