About the

Glebe Society

• Background and Aims
  
  
• Membership
  
  
• Publications
  
  
• Really!
  
  
• Getting to Know You
  
  

• Bays and Foreshores
  
  
• Environment
  
  
• Foreshore Walk
  
  
• Glebe's Blue Wrens
  
  
• Heritage
  
  
• Traffic and Transport
  
  
• Planning
  
  
• Management
  

The Abbey, 156-60 Bridge Road

At the June Committee meeting Peter Mayoh, architect, and Richard Mackay, heritage consultant, presented a revised, reduced, concept proposal for the Abbey site. The main changes from the Development Application rejected by the Court on 16 December, 2004, are:

1. Reussdale, restored as a single dwelling, is proposed to have a separate, modern addition at the rear, including two car spaces and transfer of some land to enable vehicles to turn in and out of Purves Street. It is proposed to be sold separately.
2. Seven two-storey townhouses are proposed for the rear of the site, with a small setback and windows, but no access to Reuss Street.
3. An underground carpark is proposed, requiring the demolition of Hamilton, to be replaced by a singlestorey dwelling of the same size and on the same spot, above the carpark entrance from Bridge Road.
4. The Church is proposed to be restored and to have a freestanding, lightweight series of commercial floors inside.

The Committee referred the proposal to the Planning Subcommittee, which discussed the concept on Saturday, 11 June and agreed it was an improvement over the previous DA. The Subcommittee recommended the proponents seek further consultation with residents, the Society and Council before lodging an application. Until such an application is lodged, it is not appropriate for the Society to give any further indication of its views.

The Tramsheds, Harold Park

The current zoning of the sheds is Open Space. In its initial objection the Society pointed out that, as well as many other impediments, the current proposal for 122 dwellings is prohibited under this zoning. Harold Park attempted to circumvent this prohibition by claiming existing use rights. The Society asserted there were no such rights in this case. Council has given Harold Park until mid-July to prove it has such rights. If they are unable to do so, as seems likely, Council officers propose to recommend refusal. However, we should not assume this is the end of the matter. This is Harold Park's second attempt to exploit an asset obtained so remarkably cheaply. We should continue our pressure for a more appropriate owner and use.

Harold Park Stables

Council will hold an inspection at the stables site at 9am on Saturday 25 June. More news next month.

Brelco Building, 48-64 Wentworth Park Road

 I reported on this heritage-listed industrial building in the May Bulletin. On 6 June Council approved the application to rebuild the northern and western walls with strict controls to ensure the finish and detail is the same as in the existing building.

- Neil Macindoe

Queries? email: planning@glebesociety.org.au