CONRAD and Kay Boreham were horrified to learn their single-storey Huskisson home could be overshadowed by a proposed four-storey apartment block next door.
A development application lodged with council for the land, not governed by a development control plan, has been determined as “approval imminent” and residents believed it was likely the DA would be accepted by council.
The Borehams’ Beach Street home was redesigned recently with wheelchair access, wider doors, ramps, special bathroom fittings and a flow-through kitchen to accommodate Mrs Boreham’s deteriorating mobility.
The lot next door currently has a single-storey dwelling some metres from the boundary, with a two-storey property on the Jervis Street lot behind.
A developer had purchased both blocks of land with the intention of building a four-storey apartment block, the plans placing the perimeter only three metres from the boundary and four metres from the Borehams’ house.
Mr and Mrs Boreham have been holidaying in Huskisson for 20 years and owned the property on Beach Street for 10, with plans to relocate permanently next year when Mr Boreham retires.
“We had our home designed in the beach house style so that it fitted in with the surroundings, so that it looks like it belongs here,” Mrs Boreham said.
The couple had recently completed renovated the property, making the house accessible for Mrs Boreham who has limited abilities and deteriorating mobility.
“In our years living and holidaying in the house we noted sunlight and prevailing wind patterns, so that the design of the house on the site took the most benefit both ecologically and economically,” she said.
“We have solar hot water, sky windows and a skylight... when we have further funds we planned on installing solar electricity panels to further reduce our retirement costs.”
But those measures may soon be overshadowed by the four-storey development on the property next door of which council approval was imminent.
“Council has approved our house plans... how then can it approve a solid block of a building to be built next door which will grossly affect our ability to use many of its design features, taking most of our sunlight?
“In winter the proposed building...will throw shadow that would cover about 90 per cent of our home.
“Their shadow pattern lodged with the council is misrepresented. It is based on a shadow pattern of an earlier proposal for three two-storey townhouses.”
The DA was put before councillors recently, how-ever the issues raised were about setbacks and Councillor John Fergusson said it was presented as a conforming development.
“I am very concerned about the matter of overshadowing that was not highlighted by council staff,” Cr Fergusson said.
“It is true I supported this development as it was a conforming development, but I didn’t come to terms with the overshadowing.
“The whole issue of 3G zones in Huskisson needs to be opened up and a DCP needs to be considered as part of an overall DCP in Huskisson.
“I will be making enquiries.”