DREAMS SHATTERED: Kate and Scott Ellis have abandoned plans to move into a home in Kite Street following ongoing opposition despite having the development approved.
A FAMILY has abandoned their plans to move into a home in Kite Street after ongoing opposition to the property’s development forced them to make the floor plan smaller.
After a prolonged process, Orange City Council finally approved the battleaxe development for two three-bedroom units with double garages, an extension to the existing home and the demolition of an existing garage last week.
Despite getting the green light, owner Scott Ellis said he and his wife Kate would have to change their life plan to move into the existing home when they relocate to Orange from Newcastle with their three children.
A proposal to add a fourth bedroom to the home had to be scrapped when they were forced to widen the driveway corridor and make two of the dwellings smaller to leave more open space in line with concerns raised by objectors in 10 written submissions to council.
“Making it a three-bedroom house means we won’t move into that neighbourhood,” he said.
“Our children are quite disappointed, they were supposed to be starting school in Orange in the new year.
“It has had a significant upsetting impact on our family.”
Mr Ellis said he would still go ahead with the work with the development application always meeting the requirements of the council’s development control plan (DCP) despite copping criticism from surrounding neighbours and councillors who labelled it an over-development of the site.
Cr Neil Jones was one of two councillors who attempted to have the development knocked back.
He said the development highlighted the inadequacies of the current DCP which does not give sufficient protection to the unique features of heritage conservation areas, including the large backyards, trees and streetscapes, and the heritage homes.
“The DCP is now under review, and this presents an opportunity for council to consult with the community to ensure that the new DCP will provide clear and enforceable guidelines that will protect the heritage conservation area from inappropriate development,” Cr Jones said.
Resident Patricia Walker said she and other objectors were disappointed by the result.
“We’re flattened,” she said.
“The council’s hands are tied ... it’s the law as it stands but they could have had the gumption to say it was an unsuitable development.”