Following a two-week public exhibition period, the council sent a revised statement of facts and contentions to Denoc Holdings last Friday, which will form its case in the NSW Land and Environment Court in May. 

Denoc Holdings director David Nock said it appeared the only change was the council no longer believed the redevelopment of heritage-listed mansion Yallungah would overshadow neighbouring properties.

“We relied on advice being provided to us by the town planning department before we put the first DA in, and the second DA, and it’s clear from the council decision that advice was wrong,” he said.

The revised plans removed much of the glazing from the original design, however the council will still oppose its metal deck roofing, exposed timber and steel elements and aluminium windows.

Despite the change to a pitched roof for the extension, the council will submit the extension would obscure the rear of the mansion and a number of ways the bulk and scale of the building could be improved, including lowering the ground floor, redesigning the robe and bathroom areas and repositioning the lift, were not added to the amended proposal.

Many of the parking disputes were removed because the reduction in rooms meant there would be enough parking spaces on site, however the council will contend the impact on traffic flow in Byng Street has not been considered.

The removal of the interior staircase and stained glass window on the landing have been deemed unacceptable.