Council letter regarding application to build two-storey houses

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Not sure if something similar has been posted before.

We just received a letter from the council advising us that the new owners of a house across the road from us plan to knock the house down and put up three two-storey dwellings. While they are unlikely to have any impact, my (selfish) concern is that these new homes will block part of the sky I look/image. A form has been included for me to voice my concerns.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Two storey across the road? Are you on lower ground? I wouldn't imagine that it would obscure too much of the sky that would be worth imaging? You should Ask for height poles to gauge the height. But there maybe other reasons you want to object on?

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

If it's anything like here you can object to your heart's content and they'll ignore you. Even if the council rejected the application they'd just go to the Land and Environment Court who would rubber stamp the application.

[casstony]

first thing is to talk to the other neighbours and see if they have any objections to the development. You can certainly delay the project or have alterations made to the design.
Don't give written consent until you are happy with the development and prepare to resist sweet talking, arm twisting and general manipulation by the developer and council officer.

[DavidTrap (David)]

Unless it's contrary to the town plan, any objection is unlikely to gain any traction.

DT

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

Two storey across the road? Are you on lower ground? I wouldn't imagine that it would obscure too much of the sky that would be worth imaging? You should Ask for height poles to gauge the height. But there maybe other reasons you want to object on?

Yeah the places wouldn't be too much of a problem. But I can probably kiss M31 goodbye.

I guess this was more aimed at people who have been informed a two-storey house would be built directly next door to them. Anyone had to go through this experience?

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by swannies1983

Not sure if something similar has been posted before.

We just received a letter from the council advising us that the new owners of a house across the road from us plan to knock the house down and put up three two-storey dwellings. While they are unlikely to have any impact, my (selfish) concern is that these new homes will block part of the sky I look/image. A form has been included for me to voice my concerns.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

There is a shadow diagram that is usually done showing how the new dwelling would block sunlight in winter and how it would affect you but I've never heard anything about sky coverrage or similar.

[Kunama]

One valid objection is if they have not allowed for parking on the premises for the 6 cars that will inevitably reside there. If it is to the north of you and will block the winter sun is another.

If it blocks your view of Andromeda ........... you could try it, I guess
I just bought a house in Canberra and saw that the developer was knocked back twice in 6 years (old Canberra 3br house knocked down for two 4br detached houses) based on neighbours objections.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by swannies1983

Yeah the places wouldn't be too much of a problem. But I can probably kiss M31 goodbye.

I guess this was more aimed at people who have been informed a two-storey house would be built directly next door to them. Anyone had to go through this experience?

I did the building Under NSW Complying Development legislation there isn't anything you can do about, you don't even have to notify the neighbours until 2 days before you start building.

It is a restrictive and prescriptive design process, but it sure saved a lot of hassles going to council.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by casstony

Don't give written consent until you are happy with the development and prepare to resist sweet talking, arm twisting and general manipulation by the developer and council officer.

How about just be a good neighbour and let people use their hard-earned land for what purpose they want.
Come on - a lousy two storey building.... you would have to be a born whinger to complain about that....

[AndrewJ]

Gday Lee

I know someone who got a McMansion built alongside them,
in a region with small blocks.
The real estate agents reckoned they lost 10s of thousands of dollars
due to the loss of views, general ugliness and overlooking of the replacement.
They also lost a lot of electricity generation time
as their solar panels got blocked for much longer each day as well.
The one who suffers has no recourse via the courts.
If you directly stole that amount of money, you would be in jail.

If someone wants to do whatever they want on their land, i have no problem, as long as if they cause loss to others, they compensate them as part of the development.
Not holding my breath on that happening

Andrew

[Lee]

Everyone has a sob storey (pun intended) I suppose!

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

we had a two storey place built on our north side
plans from council showed it being constructed on it's norther side
so we had no objection about loss of sunlight


when the builder started - he reversed the plan and we lost sunlight


geoff

[casstony]

Originally Posted by Lee

How about just be a good neighbour and let people use their hard-earned land for what purpose they want.
Come on - a lousy two storey building.... you would have to be a born whinger to complain about that....

I have no idea what issues Dan and the other neighbors may or may not have with the development - neither do you Lee.

My experience was with a nightclub being extended beside a residential area - I was able to get extra soundproofing retrofitted to the existing building before withdrawing my objection.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by swannies1983

While they are unlikely to have any impact, my (selfish) concern is that these new homes will block part of the sky I look/image.

Sounds like not too much I'd say....

[casstony]

Originally Posted by Lee

Sounds like not too much I'd say....

... and the neighbors beside the building, if any? We don't know the details so your posts are pointless. It's up to Dan and his neighbors to decide if there are issues - it's not up to me and it's not up to you.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

As I stated in a follow up post, the three two-storey houses will only probably block a small area of sky. The biggest loss will be M31 and likely the Ring Nebula. The effect of loss of sunlight may also come into play and depending on how far back the places go, I may lose some nice sunsets. Yes, I'm being selfish. I don't won't to lose any sky, no matter how small .

My other concern will be what lights will be visible from their properties, particularly on the second storey. The sky is quite dark in their direction because I'm close to the beach. Bedroom and outside lights might cause issues.