Rosemary Bagot, whose late husband Ted was a descendent of the home’s original builder Joseph Moulder, has lived in Endsleigh House for 30 years.

Built in 1858, Endsleigh House is recognised by Orange City Council as the city’s oldest standing house and is listed as an item of State heritage significance.

Mrs Bagot and other residents are concerned about the impacts on their neighbourhood if an application to build three units on a block adjacent to the historic home is approved by Orange City Council.

“This verandah is a great place to sit and relax but if this goes ahead I’ll look straight down to a pretty unattractively designed little unit located right on the street,” Mrs Bagot said yesterday.

“We’d be happy with two appropriate dwellings on the site but three is just far too many for the site and for the area.”

Council heritage advisor Christo Aitken has also recommended the developer consider a two-unit development rather than three.

He also suggested more “time and effort” could be dedicated to the design of the units.

An extensive heritage impact study will be prepared before the application is determined by Orange City Council.

Mrs Bagot’s daughter Barbara, an architect, said the family was not opposed to development on the block but was concerned about the proposal in its current form.

“At various stages over its life, the house has had its heritage value reduced and we don’t want that to continue,” she said.

Endsleigh Avenue resident Annella Powell, whose home is opposite the site, said the development could have broader implications if approved.

“It does have bigger implications for the city. We need to look at this whole urban infill issue and make sure we’re not going down a road we’ll regret in the future,” Ms Powell said.

“I would really be encouraging all councillors to stop for a minute and have a think.

“I’m not anti-development, I’m not against people developing property to maybe make a financial return but there needs to be consideration for those of us who moved here to enjoy not such a dense lifestyle.”

The Central Western Daily was unable to contact the applicants in Canberra yesterday.