HAWKESBURY Council unanimously approved a knockdown-rebuild in Richmond, despite some heritage questions over the still-standing house.
The house, located at 108 Lennox Street, does not have a heritage listing, however, Council staff identified it as potentially having heritage value, as the chamber heard on November 14.
Permission has been granted for the knockdown to go ahead, and a duplex to be built in its place, but during the knockdown process any items with heritage value must be photographed and documented.
The plans for the demolition of the existing building were issued by a private certifier, while Council voted to approve the duplex.
The owners of the property, Mark and Kate Jones, said they wanted to build the duplex and live in one house, while rent out the other side.
They told the chamber that they only became aware of potential heritage issues after they purchased the property and submitted a development application to Council.
“We received a letter in June requesting more information [about the building’s heritage],” Mark Jones said.
Jones said the only document he had seen regarding the site’s heritage value was an incomplete document from the 1990s, since purchasing the property in August last year.
“We're not seeking any special exemptions or trying to bend the rules, we just want to be treated fairly,” he added.
The Council business paper noted: while the existing dwelling is not identified as a heritage item, the subject site is identified as potentially State Significant on the draft Richmond Archaeological Management Plan.”
Council’s director of infrastructure services Matt Owens was asked a number of questions regarding the potential heritage of the site by councillors.
“It would be better to investigate properly and potentially lose something of heritage significance,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Barry Calvert said the duplex fit in with the character of many houses on Lennox Street, and would be one more house for a young family to move into in Richmond.
Liberal councillors Sarah Richards and Tiffany Tree said they were happy to support the DA because it complied with Council’s planning regulations.
All 11 councillors present voted for the application to be approved.
