We wish to register the strongest possible objection to the proposal at 40-48 Redan Street, Mosman

Specifically we object to:

• the scale and height of the proposal which is totally out of character for the area both immediately adjacent and wider area
• The massive excavation and resulting changes (together with the site coverage) to ground water and storm run off. The site coverage will no doubt be significantly more than the existing dwellings
• the dreadful dominating impact on the views back up the hill from the beach and from other angles, for example along the hill. Instead of greenery and low rise housing this size will overpower and dominate a view which is supposed to be of scenic value to the entire community. It is within the Mosman Scenic Protection Area. Please protect it by rejecting this application.
• the idea of a separate “poor section”, allegedly “affordable” - a complete misnomer. This is a complete misuse of the purpose and intention of “affordable” housing and implies that people who ultimately reside in these (only for 15 years!) are somehow lesser and only deserving of the “back entrance”.

We personally frequently walk along Redan St (and Muston Street which will also be affected) and enjoy the views and outlook and general amenity which will be negatively impacted if this is approved.

This type of proposal is not a genuine and good faith solution to real housing needs in Sydney. It has the overall character of “luxury” housing which is not where there is a crisis which needs to be addressed.

Further, approval of this type of development creates an unwanted precedent for the area.

There are many residents, ourselves included, who have modest dwellings within the “LMR” zoning who do not wish to sell them to developers but ultimately feel we may be forced to do so by the overwhelm created by proposals such as this. The domino effect is real.

This development should be refused
Kate and Paul Brown

The development is too large and there is insufficient parking and infrastructure in the direct area and Mosman Village more generally. 12 stories is too high and will destroy the heritage and ambience of Mosman. Finally the notion there is affordable housing is disingenuous and being used in my opinion to maximise developer profits.

I have read many of the objection submissions to this development and applaud the professionalism and the depth of many of these submissions particular those from the occupants of the adjacent homes I comment these to the commission. I do not have the expertise of the knowledge to add to the substance of these only underline my support for.

I iterate my concerns regarding the inappropriate size , scale , visual impingement and traffic consequences. Letting this development occur would set disastrous precedences for the whole of the Mosman and surrounding areas. what particular saddens me is the flagrant ignoring of careful planning strictures, developed over years to protect buildings, privacy and streetscape. One obvious travesty is the complete flaunting of the setbacks, with this development coming right to the borders of the land.

What can we do if money just overrides all regulations and controls? The ruse that social housing is being provided is a patent lie. This erection will house fewer people that currently residing in the current houses and no one other than millionaires will be able to afford to purchase accommodation.

It is important that council is supported in rejecting this application and the fabric of this area is not set for deci=mation.

thank you

I would first like to make a general comment, that I support the development of residential housing in the Mosman area. I also support the NSW initiative to provide more housing across NSW so that more people can enjoy, if they wish, home ownership. The NSW government has rightly identified the need for more affordable housing to be built.
The proposed development at Redan St, would appear to be an opportunistic application by a developer to take advantage of the concessions that were put in place to provide affordable housing, to build luxury apartments. This, along with the scale of the building, the complete lack of thought around parking, the intrusion of potential shadowing over the single story houses nearby, can only lead all to believe that the developer is not interested in the community and need to ensure the development blends with the area, but is simply using this as a money making exercise and how far they can push the council (sorry NSW, as the council doesn’t have a say apparently.
I urge those involved in the decision to ensure that the development , goes back to council for discussion, and fits in the with current local housing strategy. In my mind, 4 levels with underground parking would be a good compromise and avoid what would be a a big mistake in approving this proposal.

I object to the bulk and scale of the proposed building - it is totally inconsistent with the existing streetscape. Ten stories is excessive, and does not comply with the lm-r height conditions, or the Mosman LEP conditions.

However, of particular concern to me is that such a huge building could be proposed adjacent to a heritage item. The pair of c1913 Federation Arts and Crafts semis at 36-38 Redan Street are locally significant. This listing should provide at least a modicum of protection to their setting and in my over 20 years practising as a heritage consultant I could never have assessed the proposed building as having no significant impact on the semis. A professional Heritage Impact Statement would never conclude that the proposed building would have no significant impact on the heritage of the semis. The owners of those semis are entitled to expect that their property is protected by being assessed as having heritage significance. That is why in normal Development Applications a robust heritage assessment is required to ensure that appropriate protection is mandatory - the heritage report in this proposal is deficient to say the least.

I researched those semis as part of a Masters in Heritage Conservation and also referred to them in my PhD in heritage conservation. They are not standard speculative rental semis which are quite common in Mosman. They were built to a very high standard, on an unusually valuable site, amongst large merchant houses, because the owners lived in one semi and the other provided an income. This is extremely rare in Mosman, where semis were built for the rental market. The semis therefore deserve to have their setting and context maintained within the streetscape.

Allowing such a large, unsympathetic building to dominate the area would not only breach several planning regulations, but would make a mockery of the principles embodied in the NSW Heritage Act.

Please refuse this application.

Please see attachment.

I am writing to register my strong support for the project. Housing in Mosman is way out of reach of the average Sydneysider because of spurious objections raised by selfish NIMBY groups over the decades that have blocked any meaningful housing supply in the community. The time is ripe for change and this is the kind of project that needs to be built in the dozens all over the Mosman LGA to help solve the housing crisis.

I object to this development on the following bases –

1. This is a massive development spread over 5 properties (approx. 150 m) x one whole block backing on to Redan Lane. It will be a blight on the surrounding area and an eyesore. The sheer bulk is staggering.
2. The development falls within the Scenic Protection Zone blocking views from hundreds of residents which are meant to be enjoyed by everyone. Otherwise why have this Zoning in place at all if it is going to be violated.
3. The current residential count for the 5 properties at say an average of 3 per household is 15 which will become an estimated 150 people, 10 times the current occupancy.
4. The number of motor vehicles will increase 10 fold also – say 2 per household now (10) to say 106 if the development is approved as lodged. This will have a big impact on the surrounding streets as well as the already congested traffic on Military road through the shopping strip. How many of those people will walk to the shops to do their weekly shopping? They will drive.
5. There are-
a. 8 bedsits proposed to be set aside for affordable housing for 15 years. What restrictions are placed on these units. Can they be held by the developer for 15 years or sold to an associate/s of the developer. Is there a limit on the current and/or future sale price of these units to ensure that they actually remain affordable? AND
b. 3 larger “executive affordable” units. What does that mean.

This setting aside of affordable housing units smacks of a plan to get around the SSD process to approval.
6. If this development is approved as is or with minimal alteration, then this will just open the doorway to other developers wanting to over develop other areas of Mosman. Even the new developments along the shopping strip as well as the Aberdeen development are not 10 storeys.
7. Sunlight – there’s another point. The bulk of this building will block the sun to some extent affecting surrounding properties
8. Mosman is a destination suburb. It has an old road infrastructure which cannot be expanded or improved. The State government makes this impact worse by not endorsing and constructing the long awaited Mosman bypass to the northern beaches. Adding/ allowing even more traffic in the area is bound to have a detrimental affect on the suburb.

My wife & I have lived in Mosman for over 30 years, own & live in our Muston St ground floor apartment. This intended massively excessive development will practically destroy our north easterly views, cause severe traffic congestion and heightened safety issues in Redan Lane. Redan Lane is quite narrow, has no footpaths and on many occasions where cars passing in the opposite directions have to pull over to allow safe travel. Furthermore the likelihood of more large vehicles eg waste collection trucks, construction related vehicles make it even worse and furthermore these have extreme difficulty negotiating the dog leg corner midway along the lane and the likelihood of additional large vehicles will only add to the congestion and safety issues.
This area of Mosman is recognised for its heritage characterised residences and attractive landscaping, accordingly massive developments such as this completely overwhelms the immediate vicinity and surrounding area. Surely projects of this scale are better located along major roadways where many currently exist and are visually and practicably more appropriate
One can only hope that recognising,understanding and appreciating the beauty and characteristics of the area will lead to rejection of this proposal in its current form.
Sincerely
Barry & Kaye Richards
1/63 Muston St
Mosman