Council knocks back deck proposal

Gosford Council has refused consent for the construction of a timber deck at a home in Orange Grove Rd, Blackwall, after it was told that it had already been built without consent.

The structure also included a handrail, privacy screen and timber access stairs.

The development application was refused on the grounds that the alterations would detracted from the character of the immediate locality, that the proposal was inappropriate for its location and that the design would cause loss of views and visual impacts.

The proposal also failed to comply with the Brisbane Water Plan of Management as it was built on the roof area of a boatshed.

Council planning staff stated that approval would set an undesirable precedent for the area and would have unreasonable impacts on the existing levels of privacy and amenity for neighbouring residents.

According to the staff report, the applicant had already constructed the timber deck, handrail and associated supports above the boatshed.

Council had ordered the demolition of the unauthorised construction on June 20.

The applicant then lodged the development application on August 9 which sought consent for the structure.

Mr David Rowe spoke on behalf of the applicant at Council's ordinary meeting of Tuesday, October 1, requesting Council's approval of the application.

Gosford Council Agenda ENV.68, 1 Nov 2011