Developer has another crack Brunswick Heads DA

Paul Bibby

A property developer who unsuccessfully applied to build two large houses on a block in Brunswick Heads is now seeking to build four houses on the same property.

Sasha Hopkins had his Development Application (DA) for two five-bedroom houses at 16 Short Street rejected by Byron Council at its February meeting.

The decision was largely based on the fact that the proposal would overshadow the neighbouring property at number 14, where approval for a dual occupancy had already been granted.

It also exceeded the maximum building height plane for the site.

However, Mr Hopkins has now submitted another development application to build four two-storey houses, each with its own swimming pool on the site.

The project, which has an estimated value of $1.58m, would include eight parking spaces and a total of 12 bedrooms – three for each house.

The statement of environmental effects contained within the new DA states that it is ‘consistent with the strategic planning provisions and permissible uses of the site’.

‘The design, siting, scale, bulk and character of the new dwellings is considered reasonable having regard to the relevant provisions of Council’s DCP (development control plan).

However, it appears the new proposal would also create overshadowing issues for neighbouring properties, and would exceed maximum building height plane rules.

The owner of the neighbouring property, George Stinson, said the  overshadowing and building height plane issues were ‘worse than the previous DA’.

‘There’s also no pedestrian access to Short St … and no parking or garbage pickup,’ Mr Stinson said.

‘We were advised by a BSC planner that a 1200mm wide pedestrian access is a non-negotiable requirement,’ he said.

The DA has just gone on public exhibition, with submissions closing on June 5.

Mr Hopkins declined to comment when contacted by The Echo.