Ten submissions as Pymble six-townhouse plan is refused

Ten submissions from residents were considered before Ku-ring-gai’s planning panel unanimously refused a six-townhouse proposal at 14 Graham Avenue, Pymble, the highest recorded participation among three development applications decided on 20 July.

The application, eDA0084/26, sought approval to demolish existing structures and build six townhouses with basement parking. The Ku-ring-gai Local Planning Panel found the site did not meet the minimum dimensions specified in clause 6.6(2)(a) of the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan.

The panel amended the first refusal reason to state that clause 6.6(2) is a standalone control that overrides other provisions of the plan, including clause 4.6. It found the proposed development was prohibited on the site.

Community views were sought through notification under Ku-ring-gai Council’s Community Participation Plan. Ten submissions were received for the Graham Avenue application and considered as part of the determination.

At 2 Westbrook Avenue, Wahroonga, one submission was considered before the panel unanimously approved eDA0086/26 for demolition of existing structures and subdivision into two lots. The approval is subject to conditions in the Development Assessment Report.

The consent will lapse if the approved works are not physically commenced within five years of the date of the Notice of Determination.

No submissions were received for eDA0016/26 at 12 Bungalow Avenue, Pymble. The panel unanimously refused the proposal to subdivide one lot into two and construct a dwelling and associated works on proposed Lot 121, which has frontage to Reservoir Road.

The panel was not satisfied that the request to vary the maximum floor space ratio standard had met the requirements of clause 4.6. It found strict compliance was not unreasonable or unnecessary and that there were not sufficient environmental planning grounds to justify the variation.

The three applications produced different levels of recorded community participation: ten submissions for the Graham Avenue townhouse proposal, one for the Westbrook Avenue subdivision and none for the Bungalow Avenue subdivision and dwelling.