planning · Cumberland Council
Panel refuses bid to add two storeys to Lidcombe flats on Clarence Street
Cumberland’s local planning panel has rejected a proposal to expand an approved residential flat building at 8 and 10 Clarence Street, Lidcombe, including six extra units and an affordable housing component.
A proposal to add two storeys and six units to an approved residential flat building at 8 and 10 Clarence Street, Lidcombe, has been refused by the Cumberland Local Planning Panel.
The panel also declined a Clause 4.6 request to vary the additional building height standard tied to Development Application 2025/0743, at its 8 April meeting. The application covered alterations and additions to the approved building, including an affordable housing component, changes to unit layouts, changes to the building footprint and external appearance, and strata subdivision.
The minutes show the panel refused the application for the reasons in Council’s assessment report, with an amended reason dealing with pump-out drainage. That reason said the proposed design did not comply with Cumberland’s DCP pumped discharge controls, including a limit on driveway catchment area draining to the basement pump-out system.
For nearby residents, the proposed height increase and added dwellings at the Clarence Street site will not proceed in this form. The panel’s decision means the approved residential flat building will not be modified as sought under this application.
In the same meeting, the panel approved an application for window infill and new artwork on a building wall at 66-70 Auburn Road, Auburn, subject to conditions. Those conditions included amended construction and painting hours, with painting permitted between 8am and 4pm on Sunday, and otherwise no work on Sundays and public holidays.
The panel also approved Development Application 2026/0047 for the removal of deteriorating external timbers adjacent to the brickmaking plant and kiln at 23-25 Brickworks Drive, Holroyd, subject to conditions.
On a broader planning item, the panel endorsed the Cumberland Open Space Planning Proposal and supporting documentation to be sent to Council with a recommendation to proceed to Gateway Determination. It also recommended Council review Table 2 to confirm land classifications, particularly where privately owned land is involved.
Submitters are to be notified of the Lidcombe and Holroyd determinations. The Auburn Road works can proceed under the consent conditions, while the open space planning proposal now goes to Council for the next step.
Reference minutes
Source: Cumberland Local Planning Panel public minutes, 8 April 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The Cumberland Local Planning Panel refused Development Application 2025/0743 for 8 and 10 Clarence Street, Lidcombe.
- The refused application sought two additional storeys, six residential units, an affordable housing component, layout changes, external changes and strata subdivision.
- The panel did not support the Clause 4.6 request to vary the additional building height standard.
- An amended refusal reason said the proposed pump-out drainage design did not comply with DCP pumped discharge controls, including driveway catchment limits.
- The panel approved Development Application 2026/0061 for window infill and new artwork at 66-70 Auburn Road, Auburn, subject to conditions and amended work hours.
- The panel approved Development Application 2026/0047 for removal of deteriorating external timbers at 23-25 Brickworks Drive, Holroyd, subject to conditions.
- The panel endorsed the Cumberland Open Space Planning Proposal to be forwarded to Council with a recommendation to proceed to Gateway Determination.
- The panel recommended Council review Table 2 of the open space proposal to confirm correct land classifications, especially for privately owned land.
Why it matters
- The refused Lidcombe application means a proposed two-storey expansion and six extra units on Clarence Street cannot proceed as lodged, while separate approvals in Auburn and Holroyd will move ahead under conditions.