Submission to Randwick Council on why the Balcony should be allowed

47 Denning St, Coogee   -    Adam and Anastasia Cogan

A bit about my background

I was raised on a farm in the Hunter Valley. I grew up with wide open spaces, the nearest neighbour was kilometres away. When I moved to Sydney at the age of 15, I can remember being amazed at how closely packed the houses are. When it came time for me to buy my own house my wife Anastasia and I looked all over Sydney (mainly on the North Shore). We decided on Coogee because we considered it to be the nicest suburb, and were lucky enough to win the bidding on 47 Denning Street. I have since become used to the high density living you expect when you buy a house in Coogee. I enjoy the close contact with neighbours, who have become good friends.

Farm
Figure: Wide open spaces

Reasons I want to build the balcony

I love the feeling of 'openness' that comes from being able to virtually remove one of the walls of a room. This is an effect that can only be achieved on a second level by having a balcony, a window just isn't the same. This is what is currently on the second level:

Current Window
Figure: The current window is not adequate

This is what the our proposed balcony would look like. It is the same as what is on the second floor:

Proposed Window
Figure: As you can see this allows more ventilation

Allowed Window
Figure: The allowed window can only be opened 1/3 of the size, as a fixed bottom is required

In addition to this, the house has no air conditioning system installed as my allergies make air conditioning a near impossibility. In summer, being able to get the extra ventilation through the house would make a big difference.

Other recent precedent in Coogee

It seems as if other residents of Coogee have been allowed to undertake similar building projects, creating a precedent for this ruling. Below are photo's of Balcony's on several nearby houses that seem equivalent to the project planned for our house.

Other Homes Balconies Everywhere 
Figure: The view from this balcony is similar - 43 Denning St

 Recent Homes With Balconies
 

Recent Homes with balcony and Reserve
Figure: The Top Balcony (of left house) is overlooking the house on right - Alexandria Parade, Coogee

Reasons I was given for the rejection

The principal reason I was given for the rejection of our proposal was that it invades our neighbours privacy. I feel that this ruling is not justified. As you can see from this photo, the only thing I would be able to see from the new balcony would be the roofs of their houses.

View Side View Side 2
Figure: Let's look at the sight lines for houses one and two.

View From House
Figure: The current view from the third level of houses 1 & 2

House 1: (1A Wisdom St) was sold under a covenant that another level, so this is not an issue. Jason the owner, told me last night he has no intention of selling or of going up.
As you can see from the above diagram, even if house 2 was to build another level, the only thing we would be able to see would bit a bit more of their roof.

House 2: (1 Wisdom St) is owned by Brian Johnson (who played League for St George and Australia) and he also has no issue to this balcony. His partner Larissa works with Perry Head at Randwick council and also was supportive.... I don't think Larissa would let me get away with anything :-)

In addition to this, the neighbours themselves agree with me. Both Jason Lang and Brian Johnson are happy for the development to go ahead.

I ask you to reconsider your decision

In summary, there are 6 reasons why I think that the proposed development should be allowed:

  1. It will allow as to keep a consistent look for our house. The balcony would be an exact match of the one that has already been approved and built on the second level.
  2. The work that will be done will be of the highest quality. It will be concrete, not wood like some of the neighbours balconies. It will add value to the neighbourhood as well as our house.
  3. I believe that there is precedent in the area for this type of development, as has been demonstrated above.
  4. The development does not affect our neighbours, in fact they are agreeable to it.
  5. Jason cannot build another level on his house anyway.
  6. Brian's new house will not be higher than Jason's current height, and as we can see in the photo's above his privacy will not be invaded.
Thanks - please let me know your decision

Adam

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