The proposed DA 0383/23 for 12 Burns Road, Wahroonga is fundamentally at odds with the Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) within which we live, presents environmental and safety concerns and negatively impacts our properties. The development has been proposed with maximum focus on financial return and minimal consideration of heritage, environmental and community impact. We object strongly to the development on the following grounds:

1) Heritage: the proposal is incongruent with the current heritage streetscape. It involves the sub-division of the lot, the development of a large, two-storey property and the placement of a second storey on the current dwelling. It creates two separate lots, one of which is substantially smaller than any lot within the immediate vicinity and both lots being much smaller than the minimal lot size for sub-division within the HCA. The proposal is non-compliant with Parts 19C.1 and 19D.1 of the DCP. We understand that Ku-ring-gai Council have previously contemplated heritage listing of 12 Burns Road. This demonstrates the historical significance of the property which was previously owned by the Wilson family and its descendants for almost 100 years. The adjoining property at 108 Coonanbarra Road is contributory to the HCA. The property at 12 Burns Road will almost certainly be contributory as well. The proposal therefore proposal clearly breaches the provisions of Parts 19C and 19D of the DCP in terms of building height. Specifically, adding a second storey to a contributory property (12 Burns Road) is also not permitted under the DCP.

2) Tree Heritage and Preservation: The English Oak Tree in the north-east corner of 12 Burns Road was planted by the Wilson family descendants in the 1930s or 40s. It is therefore of historical significance, is healthy and structurally sound and one of the best examples in the HCA of the species. It is protected by Part 13.3 of the DCP and we understand that any pruning can only be modest. We are strongly opposed to it being modified to any greater extent than permitted by the DCP. The submitted proposal is vague around the extent of pruning but to avoid impingement into the structural zone of the proposed new dwelling, it is our estimation that the tree would need to be reduced by at least 50% in size. Even then, the proposal presents a major risk to the health and longevity of the tree which in turn, may lead to the tree becoming structurally unsafe.

3) Road Safety: The proposed sub-division includes a driveway to the new house from Coonanbarra Road immediately adjacent to 108 Coonanbarra Road and at a minimal distance. There is not a single “side-by-side” driveway arrangement of this type in the immediate vicinity and it is therefore non-compliant with the DCP in terms of the existing heritage streetscape. The new driveway is located immediately opposite the driveway to 14 Burns Road and adjacent to a 1.8m tall boundary fence. It presents unnecessary risk in terms of sight lines, vehicle and pedestrian safety.

4) General Land Use: There are multiple non-compliances with the new property in terms of the size of the dwelling, the height, the front and rear setbacks, the built upon area, the extent of soft landscaping and the ground levels. These issues prove the proposed new property is far too big for the parcel of land allocated to it.