Opposition to SSD Application 79316759 by Executive Committee SP 9941

Please see attached submission

Please see attached submission.

I have lived in Potts Point for over 20 years and was deeply saddened by this proposal for our community and those it directly affects. I am all for new developments but only if they are designed with careful thought & respect for the neighbouring buildings and their architectural context. We must also learn from past mistakes and not make them again. This development appears to only line developers pockets and house a select few. This comes at a huge cost to so many residents nearby that have called Potts Point their home for many years. The impact this will have on our Grand Dame Macleay Regis alone should be reason for refusal and complete re-working of the design, height & scale.
I wish to lodge an objection to this proposal based on the following issues:
1. Design is not in keeping with the streetscape and is definitely not in keeping with the Potts Point / Elizabeth Bay Conservation Area. As residents we all enjoy the history and beauty of Macleay Regis & other surrounding buildings like the Mayfair & Yellow House. The Chimes (1961) should never have been allowed especially when one looks at the photos of the beautiful Victorian terraces that were torn down. To right the wrongs of the past, this site (and all future sites) should not allow high rise developments, instead it should acknowledge that current plans are inappropriate & excessive for the area.
Were Macleay St wider, like the streets in New York, we could cope with high rise buildings on both sides of the streets but Macleay St is only 1 lane traffic each way and thus not far enough apart to not cause major impact to the visual character and sunlight / sky scape in the area. The proposed development, 13 storeys and 50.05 metres high, is excessive and significantly out of proportion to surrounding buildings, which have an average height of only about 20-30 metres. While this excess will be permanent, the trade-off of providing a mere 9 affordable apartments will only be in place for 15 years.

2. Impact the “actual build” will have on the area – this is only serving to line the developers pockets whilst we as a community have to live through a major build and the disruption it will cause. This development application process allows insufficient time for non-expert residents to consider fully and comprehend clearly voluminous documentation in support of it but, but there is genuine concern about the potential adverse implications for surrounding buildings and the amenity of neighbours of a design of this scale, which includes excavation to provide for three levels of underground parking.

3. The cruel sunlight & iconic view loss to nearby residents, most notably at beautiful Heritage item, Macleay Regis & the Yellow House.This will cause significant overshadowing of many nearby apartments and also the surrounding footpaths used by all residents.This will have significant health / quality of life issues for many nearby residents.
My mother (78 years old) lives in Pomeroy and her apartment is located on the front façade side and she will lose hours of sunlight.
She spends more time at home now and I know this will affect her physical & mental health.

4. Wind tunnel - Ikon is an eyesore & created a major wind tunnel. I personally sold and moved from Rockwall Gardens (1a Tusculum St) because of this. I fear this building will do the same to the northern end of Macleay St / Wylde St & MacDonald Lane.

5. Lack of Community Consultation - Only residents with 75 metres of this proposed development site were notified of this development application, and then only given about three weeks to consider voluminous and complex documentation accompanying the application. This is patently inadequate and does not indicate any bona fide attempt to engage in meaningful consultation with residents and the public about what is purported to be a ‘state significant development.’ If it is of genuine state significance then everyone potentially adversely affected (which includes people who live beyond the 75-metre radius) must be given proper notice, and a more reasonable time to respond.
I have highlighted below what I believe is the clear reason this should be refused.
Looking at the South Sydney LEP 1998
The site is within the Elizabeth Bay/ Potts Point Conservation Area. and this proposal impacts on the heritage significance of the area and DOES NOT comply with objective (c) of the LEP.
(c) to ensure that building form including alterations and additions, is in character with the surrounding built environment and does not detract from the amenity enjoyed by nearby residents or the existing quality of the environment,

Please see attached PDF distributed on behalf of the Board of Macleay Regis Ltd