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SOEE Proposed Minor Works to residence, 89 Albyn Road Strathfield v1.5.doc, Mar 2020 of 21

Ronald Brown Architect

Statement of Environmental Effects and Heritage Impact for Proposed Minor Works to existing residence at 89 Albyn Road, Strathfield February 2020

Introduction Background and Authorship: This statement was researched and prepared for the subject site’s owners Mary and Kenneth Cooke by Ronald Brown Architect, Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Science (Arch) and Master of Heritage Conservation. The report should be read in conjunction with the architectural drawings submitted to support a Development Application to the Strathfield Council for a minor addition to a 1920s detached residence, located within the Strathfield municipality. Location and Site Description: The subject site is legally known as Lot 2 in DP 216140 and addressed as 89 Albyn Road, Strathfield. The property is located at the western end of Albyn Road on the northern corner of the ‘T’ junction intersection with Chalmers Road. It is a deep block running parallel to Chalmers Road in a north-south orientation and is irregular in shape; having a rear boundary dimension of 17.69 metres and narrower Albyn Road frontage of 11.125 metres with a truncated corner of 6.565 metres facing the intersection. The site has an area of 918.8 sq. metres and is bounded by continuous timber fences, both paling and picket, to all sides and has its principal gated pedestrian entry off the truncated corner. The topography of the site displays a cross-fall from west to east of approximately 500mm and a longitudinal fall from south to north of about 200mm. A low height brick retaining wall is located along the site’s western boundary which maintains a 500mm difference in levels between the Chalmers Road reserve and the site. The site is currently used for residential purposes and is zoned R2 low density residential under the Strathfield Local Environmental Plan 2012 (SLEP 2012) and is considered suitable for development. It contains a single storey rendered masonry bungalow with a hip and gable tile roof, originally designed in a 1920s Californian Bungalow style. The principal dwelling is setback 13.5 metres from primary street frontage on Albyn Road. The dwelling had a rear extension added in 1996 comprised of a new bedroom, ensuite, lobby and verandah along with a renovated laundry. In 2001 a freestanding garage with an attached studio was constructed in the north east corner of the site, a single storey face brick building with a pitched metal roof. It is located at the rear of the property with gated driveway access off Chalmers Road and on-site visitor parking off the driveway. The site’s landscape area covers 626 sq. metres and is heavily vegetated with a mixture of mature native and exotic trees and shrubs, visually screening the house and property from the surrounding streets and neighbours. The property is directly connected to the sewer main located in Chalmers Road via a disconnector trap located adjacent to the patio on the western side of the dwelling.


Stormwater drainage from roofs and driveway is directly discharged into various soakwells located in adjacent garden areas.

Figure 1: Locality Plan indicating subject site location in Strathfield Source: GoogleMaps accessed 23 January, 2020

Figure 2: Neighbourhood Location Plan with aerial view of site with 89 Albyn Road site boundaries outlined in red Source: NearMaps accessed January 23, 2020


Proposal Description and Objectives The proposed development consists of the following:

• demolition of the existing dilapidated patio to living room comprised of a brickwork plinth, fill and concrete paving and a remnant timber pergola structure over;

• construction of a new sunroom addition to same location on western side of dwelling;

• existing gas meter adjacent to patio to be relocated to top of western boundary retaining wall with a cutout in fence to suit size of meter and underground town gas service pipework re-routed and connected to suit;

• rainwater from the new sunroom roof to be collected and discharged into the existing soakwell located in the western side garden adjacent to the dwelling;

• landscaping to western side garden adjusted with patio paving demolished and the addition of proposed sunroom to same area.

Refer to the Appendix at end of report for context images of the existing site and dwelling where the proposed sunroom addition is to proposed be sited and dwellings located adjacent this site. Design Statement The proposed minor demolition of a dilapidated patio and its replacement with a small sunroom addition to the western side of an existing dwelling house will not substantially alter the original bungalow building form facing Albyn Road, which presents as the dwelling’s principal entrance. The overall scale, massing, bulk and footprint of the proposed sunroom will have only a minor impact on the western elevation of the dwelling as its size is totally subordinate to the principal building form. The Chalmers Road Elevation - West, shown on architectural drawing A08, demonstrates this relationship and its potential minimal effect on the dwelling and on its secondary street presentation. The street view of the sunroom addition will be minimised by its recessive location with a floor level set down well below the adjacent road level, to match the existing house. Additionally screening will be provided by the existing 1700mm high timber paling fence along the side boundary which will visually separate it from the street. The design of the proposed development has been based on the following desired outcomes:

• retention of the existing dwelling and studio/garage outbuilding;

• retention of the existing fences and retaining walls to boundaries along with gates, paths and driveways;

• retention of the Albyn Road and Chalmers Road streetscapes;

• retention of the low density residential scale of the dwelling and neighbourhood;

• retention of neighbouring properties amenity including privacy and solar access;

• retention of existing views and existing access to dwelling, studio, garage and gardens;

• retention of all existing trees and landscaping;

• optimising of the existing living room’s relationship with side garden and retention of solar access to all habitable rooms;


• integration of sunroom with existing dwelling’s design and character without any alterations to it’s internal arrangement, window and door openings, rear verandah and front porch;

• ensure that the development is compatible with the heritage values of nearby heritage items and does not adversely impact on the heritage significance of these properties, settings and any identified views (to and from the items)

The evaluation of the impact of these desired outcomes against the key provisions for residential development in the Strathfield Consolidated Development Control Plan 2005 (SCDCP2005) Part A are addressed below: Statement of Environmental Effects Response to SCDCP2005 Part A Dwelling Houses and Ancillary Structures planning objectives and controls: 2 Architectural Design and Streetscape Presentation 2.2 Controls 2.2.1 Streetscape Presentation: Streetscape elements that should be taken into account in the design of new or altered residential development include topography; width and location of carriageway; street planting and landscaping; allotment size/width; boundary fences; setbacks; building character and scale; bulk; setback and rhythm and roof forms. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to these matters with the design of the sunroom addition to the existing dwelling addressing the particular house design, site constraints, prevailing streetscape presentation and neighbourhood character in an appropriate manner. Refer to figures 3 and 4 below for the subject site streetviews. The following is of relevance in this regard

• no change is proposed to the existing front alignment of landscaped garden to the principal street which is Albyn Road

• proposed addition to the dwelling to be located well behind the front building line, be of low height, single storey and maintain maximum RL as the existing dwelling

• proposed addition to have a similar sized building footprint as the existing patio and pergola located on the western side of the dwelling adjacent to the living room, which it replaces

• no street trees and negligible established site vegetation or landscaping will be affected by this development proposal

• the resultant visual impact of replacing the patio and pergola with a low profile sunroom will be minor because the form of the addition will maintain a subservient scale and proportion to the existing single storey dwelling

• use of a palette of similar forms, materials, finishes and colours to maintain the existing dwelling’s predominant single storey 1920s Californian Bungalow character will be sympathetic to the dwelling and the neighbourhood character


2.2.2 Scale, Massing and Rhythm of Street: 1. The overall scale, massing, bulk and layout of the proposed building must complement the existing streetscape. New buildings and alterations and additions should reflect the dominant rhythm of the street as illustrated in Figure A.4 (SCDCP2005 Part A Dwelling Houses and Ancillary Structures). 2. Building height and mass must not result in loss of amenity to adjacent properties, open space or the public domain. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to these issues as follows:

• the proposed sunroom’s RL at 340mm below the level of the adjacent footpath in the Chalmers Road reserve and its location set back behind a full height timber paling fence along this boundary, effectively screens most of the development from public view, making it a recessive element

• the location of the proposed addition on the western side of the existing dwelling and its small scale, bulk and low height ensures that no overshadowing will occur on adjacent properties, open space or the public domain at any time

• the proposal will sensitively integrate the addition in the existing streetscape by not visually competing with the scale of old and new dwellings on adjoining properties. Likewise it will have little effect on the dominant rhythm of dwellings located opposite on Albyn Road and Chalmers Road which are predominantly characterised by large two storey forms of contemporary design

2.2.3 Building Forms: 2. Where a dwelling is located on a street corner it shall be designed to address both street frontages as shown in Figures A5 and A6 (SCDCP2005 Part A Dwelling Houses and Ancillary Structures). Blank walls shall not be presented to either frontage and walls shall be articulated or staggered so as to avoid appearing unduly bulky or long. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to these issues as follows:

• the proposed sunroom’s design allows for the walls, glazed windows and skillion roof to project west from the side wall of the existing dwelling, this will further articulate and enhance the gabled façade of the western elevation facing Chalmers Road

• the proposed sunroom will not present a blank wall or appear as unduly bulky or long facing either the Chalmers or Albyn Road frontages due to the small size and low height of the addition and windows on three sides giving the room part transparency

• the sunroom addition will not be visible from the principal street Albyn Road as it will be effectively concealed by the existing boundary fencing, dense planting and mature trees existing in the front garden

2.2.4 Architectural Detailing, including Roof Forms, Materials and Colours: 1. The proposed roof design must be similar in pitch, materials and colour to roofs in the immediate streetscape. Roof forms should complement, but not necessarily replicate the predominant form in the locality. 5. Materials must be compatible with the existing dwelling house (in the case of alterations and additions) and compatible with adjoining dwelling houses and the streetscape in terms of type, forms and colour. 8. New developments must incorporate colour schemes that have a hue and tonal relationship with the traditional colours or the predominant colours of the street.


Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to these issues as follows:

• the proposed sunroom’s design has a glazed skillion roof that is similar in pitch to the adjacent dwellings’ roofs and will complement but does not replicate the locality’s predominant tiled roof form due to its conservatory function

• the sunroom design’s materials will be compatible with the streetscape, adjacent houses and the existing dwelling house as the cement rendered brick walls and multi-pane timber windows, paint finished will match the predominant Californian Bungalow vernacular style’s type, forms and colour

• the sunroom’s expressed painted timber roof rafters will be compatible with the expressed timber rafters on the roof eaves and soffits of adjacent houses and the existing dwelling house

• the colour scheme selected has a matching hue and tonal relationship with the external colour scheme of the existing dwelling house and will also be similar to the predominant colours of the streetscape

Subject site’s streetviews and view of adjoining neighbour:

Figure 3: site viewed from Chalmers Road looking east. Note that proposed sunroom addition to be located on side of house in centre of image beyond fenceline Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019

Figure 4: site viewed from corner of Albyn and Chalmers Roads looking north. Note that the dwellings principal pedestrian entry is via gate located in fence adjacent to letterbox Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019


Figure 5: view of neighbouring property adjoining subject site to the north, viewed from the footpath on the Chalmers Road reserve looking north along the western boundary and driveway gate to the subject site. Note the recent garage and two storey additions to this adjoining site, which is identified as a local heritage item no. I134 – ‘Warrington’, address 26 Elwin Street, Strathfield. The original dwelling’s roof can be seen beyond Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019 3 Heritage Impact Heritage Assessment The development proposal entails minor demolition of a dilapidated patio and its replacement with a small sunroom addition to the western side of an existing dwelling house. The site is not identified as a heritage item with statutory listing on any national, state or local register. There is no known archaeological significance associated with this site therefore the proposed development will have no impact in this regard. Neither is it located in any of the listed Conservation Areas shown in the SLEP2012 Heritage Map – Sheet HER_005. Refer to figure 6 below for their locations relative to the site:

Figure 6: Extract from the Strathfield Local Environmental Plan 2012 Heritage Map – Sheet HER_005, note conservation areas in red hatch and heritage items in brown. Source:SLEP2012 Heritage Map - Sheet HER_005, Council website 23 January, 2020


The proposed development site is however in the vicinity of three heritage items listed as having local significance, identified in the SLEP2012, Schedule 5 Environmental Heritage; Part 1 Heritage Items and as shown in the SLEP2012 Heritage Map – Sheet HER_005; Item nos. I87, I91 and I134 Item no. I87 is located opposite and to the south of subject site on the corner of Albyn and Chalmers Roads, Item no. I91 is located north west of the subject site on the corner of Barker and Chalmers Roads and Item no. I134 is located to the north and adjacent to the subject site and Item no. Refer to figure 6 previous for their locations relative to the subject site. The three identified heritage items are described in the SLEP2012, Schedule 5 Environmental Heritage Inventory; Part 1 Heritage Items as follows: Item no. I87 – ‘Wawona’, address 96 Albyn Road, Strathfield – Californian bungalow, garden and front fence, legal title lots 43 and 44, DP 7343; lot 1, DP 725159 local heritage significance.

Figure 7: Image of ‘Wawona’ viewed from driveway entry off Albyn Road Source: State Heritage Inventory, NSW Heritage Office (Dept. of Planning) website accessed 28 January 2020 Item no. I134 – ‘Warrington’, address 26 Elwin Street, Strathfield - Inter-war bungalow style house, legal title lot1, DP303958, local heritage significance

Figure 8: Image of ‘Warrington’ viewed from Chalmers Road looking east, garage and rear addition to heritage item on left. The subject site’s studio and driveway gate on right Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019


Item no. I91 – ‘Lyndoch Place’, address 2 Barker Road, Strathfield – Inter-war Old English style house, legal title lot 2, DP 52596, local heritage significance

Figure 9: Image of ‘Lyndoch Place’ viewed from Chalmers Road looking west. Note the recent single storey sunroom addition to corner of house partly visible beyond fence Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019 Assessment against SCDCP2005 Part P Heritage planning objectives and controls 1.5 Objectives of Part P Heritage (relevant clauses): C. To encourage development which complements existing heritage items and heritage conservation areas in a modern context. D. To ensure that development in the vicinity of heritage items is designed and sited to protect the heritage significance of the item and its setting. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to these issues as follows:

• the proposed development’s low profile design due to its small scale, lack of bulk and low height along with its material and colour palette selection will make it recessive, and complementary to the identified heritage items in the vicinity. It is also considered compatible with neighbouring contemporary development in the modern context

• the proposed sunroom location on the western side of the existing dwelling ensures that it will be seen as having a very limited impact. The addition’s siting will ensure that it is physically distant from the three identified heritage items in the vicinity of the site and visually screened from them by the surrounding dense


garden vegetation and boundary fencing. The proposal will have no physical impact and little visual dominance on or over these items, hence protecting the heritage significance of the items and their settings.

3 Development in the Vicinity of Heritage Items 3.1 General A. To ensure that development located in the vicinity of a heritage item is designed and sited in a manner sympathetic to the significance of the heritage property and its setting. B. To ensure that development located in the vicinity of a heritage item does not detrimentally impact upon the heritage significance of heritage items and their settings. C. To ensure that new development is compatible with the heritage values of the nearby heritage items. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to these issues as follows:

• the proposed recessive design will be sympathetic to both the existing dwelling’s traditional 1920s Californian Bungalow style presentation and to identified heritage items in the vicinity displaying similar or Inter-war styles. The siting of the addition on the western side of the existing dwelling at a distance of over 30 metres to the nearest identified heritage item’s boundary and over 40 metres to the nearest heritage item’s dwelling, will minimise any adverse impact on its significance or setting. Likewise for the other two identified heritage items which are located are even greater distance from the proposed development

• the proposed new development’s design and siting will be seen as being sympathetic to and therefore compatible with the existing early – mid 20th century character and heritage values of the nearby heritage items

3.2 Setting Objective: to ensure the setting of heritage items is not compromised by development in the vicinity of the heritage items and to ensure that new development respects the contribution of heritage items to the streetscape and/or townscape. Controls i) Development in the vicinity of a heritage item should not be of such bulk and height that it visually dominates or overshadows the heritage item. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the sunroom addition is very small relative to the size of the existing dwelling and size of the identified heritage items nearby. It is sited at a substantial distance from all the heritage items and predominantly screened by surrounding established vegetation on the property, such that it could not visually dominate or overshadow the heritage items ii) Views to and from the heritage item should not be obscured by new development. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the sunroom addition is sited at a substantial distance from all the identified heritage items, such that it will not obscure local or district views to and from the heritage items iii) Not relevant to this application


iv) Where trees are integral to the significance of the heritage item, development should not be allowed beneath the drip zone of these trees. An arborist report may be required to establish that the development will not impact upon trees on nearby heritage items. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the only identified heritage item in the vicinity that has the garden described as being integral to the item’s local heritage significance is Item no. I87 – ‘Wawona’, address 96 Albyn Road, Strathfield. It is described in the SLEP2012, Schedule 5 Heritage Inventory as being comprised of a Californian bungalow, garden and front fence. This garden does have established trees contributing to its setting and significance however the heritage site is located on the opposite side of Albyn Road to the subject site. The development will be located at a distance of approximately 35 metres from the boundary of this heritage item, which also defines its legal curtilage, therefore it will have no physical or visual impact on any of the item’s landscape elements, including trees. No arborist report will be required. 3.3 Scale Objective: to ensure that new development in the vicinity of a heritage item is of a scale that does not detract from the significance of the heritage item. Controls i) The scale of new development in the vicinity of a built heritage item should not be substantially greater than that of the heritage item. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the proposed sunroom addition is very small relative to the size of the existing dwelling and the identified heritage items nearby with all of them comprised of large bungalow or two-storey dwellings in a substantial garden setting ii) New development that obscures important views of a heritage item is not permitted. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the sunroom addition is sited at a substantial distance from all the identified heritage items, such that it will not obscure local or district views to and from the heritage items 3.4 Siting Objectives: A: To ensure that new development located in the vicinity of a heritage item is sited so that it does not obscure important views to or from the heritage item. B. To ensure that new development located in the vicinity of a heritage item does not adversely impact landscape elements that are significant or are associated with the heritage item. Controls i) The siting and setback of new development (including alterations and additions) in the vicinity of a heritage item should ensure that important views to or from the heritage item are not adversely impacted on. ii) The siting and setback of new development in the vicinity of a heritage item should ensure that landscape elements associated with or listed as a heritage item are not adversely affected by the development.


Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to these controls as follows:

• the proposed sunroom’s siting and setbacks (front and side) on the western side of the existing dwelling ensures that it will be only partly visible from Chalmers Road and therefore will have a very limited impact on the public domain and neighbouring properties. The addition’s siting will ensure that it is physically distant from the three identified heritage items in the vicinity of the site and also visually screened from them by the surrounding dense garden vegetation and boundary fencing. The proposal will have no physical impact and little visual dominance on or over these items, hence protecting the heritage significance of the items and their settings

• the only identified heritage item in the vicinity that has the garden described as being integral to the item’s local heritage significance is Item no. I87 – ‘Wawona’, address 96 Albyn Road, Strathfield. It is described in the SLEP2012, Schedule 5 Heritage Inventory as being comprised of a Californian bungalow, garden and front fence. This garden does contribute to the item’s setting and significance however the heritage site is located on the opposite side of Albyn Road to the subject site. The development will be located at a distance of approximately 35 metres from the boundary of this heritage item, therefore it’s siting and setbacks (front and side) ensures that it will have no physical or visual impact on the heritage item’s landscape elements or setting

3.5 Materials and Colours Objectives: A: To ensure that new development located in the vicinity of a heritage item does not detract from the significance of the heritage item. Controls i) Materials and colours for development in the vicinity of a heritage item shall be selected to avoid stark contrast with the adjacent development where this would result in the visual importance and significance of the heritage item being reduced. Response: the proposed development’s material and colour palette selection will make it recessive and complementary to adjacent development and the identified heritage items in the vicinity. The materials will be compatible with the neighbouring dwellings and heritage items in terms of type and form. The selected materials being brick, timber, clear glass and cement render specified in the sunroom design which utilise the traditional construction materials and vernacular forms of the existing dwelling’s 1920s Californian Bungalow style. These materials and forms are also common to the adjacent development and heritage items, so will avoid any stark contrast with them. The development’s adoption of traditional materials and forms, also used in the heritage items, will result in no diminishing of the visual importance and significance given to the heritage items in the neighbourhood. The recessive colour scheme selected has a matching hue and tonal relationship with the external colour scheme of the existing dwelling house and will be similar to the colour tonal range of adjacent houses and the heritage items. Therefore the visual importance and significance of the heritage items will be maintained.


3.6 Excavation Objectives: A: To ensure that new development does not put nearby heritage items at risk of damage. Control i) Applications involving excavation adjacent to a heritage item must demonstrate that the proposed excavation will not compromise the structural integrity of the heritage item and will not detract from its setting. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the proposed works will not put any of the identified heritage items nearby at risk of damage from the works. The sunroom addition is substantially located over the footprint of the existing paved patio and will be built on a raised sand pad bounded by a perimeter retaining wall with a strip footing below. A simple trench excavation for the strip footing will be required adjacent to the house to be located as indicated on DA architectural drawings A04, A05 and A06. A small trench excavation will also be required for the dwelling’s gas service pipe and meter relocation, located as indicated on DA architectural drawings A04, A05 and A06. Likewise the proposed addition’s stormwater service connection to the existing soakwell may require a minor trench excavation, unless the option of a direct connection via the dwelling’s existing downpipe to soakwell is adopted. When completed, all of these excavations will be infilled and concealed by the restored garden landscaping surrounding the sunroom. These building ground works are sited at over 30 metres distance from the adjacent heritage item’s boundary, located to the north of the subject site, and at over 40 metres distance to the same heritage item’s dwelling. This substantial separation of the excavations on site from the adjacent heritage item will ensure that risk of any damage will be minimised, therefore it is highly unlikely that the structural integrity of the heritage item would be compromised. The proposed development will infill all excavations and restore the garden landscaping surrounding the addition, thereby not detracting from the adjacent heritage item’s setting and maintaining its significance. 4 Building Envelope 4.2 Controls 4.2.1 Floor Space Ratio 1. The site is indicated on the SLEP2012 Floor Space Ratio (FSR) Map – Sheet FSR_005 which references exceptions to floor space ratio (Zone R2) to the SLEP2012 clause 4.4 (c) for determining the FSR for this site. This clause uses a sliding scale for FSR depending on the lot area size. The subject site having a lot area of 918 sq.metres means it is subject to the 900-999 sq metre lot area FSR, giving a maximum FSR of 0.525:1 permitted. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as shown in the table of ‘Areas Existing and Proposed’ on DA architectural drawing A08, which calculates that the proposed FSR will be 0.29:1, which is under the maximum FSR 0.525:1 permitted for this site


4.2.2 Building Height 1. The maximum height of a dwelling house must be in accordance with the SLEP2012 Height of Buildings Map. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the maximum height of a dwelling house given by the map is 9.5 metres above natural ground level. The proposed development will not increase the height of the existing dwelling which has a maximum height of 6.5 metres above natural ground level. The proposed maximum height of the sunroom above natural ground level is 3.2 metres, which complies with the control 4.2.3.1 Street Setbacks 1. The street setbacks in Table A.1 and illustrated in Figure A.10 apply to new dwellings and extensions (where the building footprint is proposed to be altered). For the primary street setback the minimum street setback required is given as 9 metres. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the existing primary street setback from Albyn Road is 13.5 metres for the principal dwelling. The proposed sunroom addition is set a further 7.5 metres back from this primary setback giving a total of 21 metres from the primary street frontage. This complies the primary setback control and would not conflict with the setback pattern established for corner properties in the area and in the street 4.2.3.2. Side and Rear Setbacks 1. New dwellings and extensions (where the building footprint is proposed to be altered) are to have a combined setback equivalent to 20% of the width of the block. The combined setback may be unevenly distributed between the sides as long as a minimum side setback of 1.2 metres is provided on each side. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the combined side setbacks proposed of 1.3 metres existing to the eastern boundary and 2.65 metres proposed to the western boundary give a total of 3.95 metres. As the block width is 16.5 metres at the point of cross-section through the sunroom location, 20% of the width of the block is 3.3 metres. The combined proposed side setback of 3.95 metres complies with both the minimum combined side setback and the minimum side setback dimensions of 1.2 metres permitted by the control. Therefore the proposed setback would not conflict with the setback pattern established for corner properties in the area and in the street. (It is noted that a contemporary sunroom was recently added to the eastern side of the identified heritage Item no. I91 – ‘Lyndoch Place’, address 2 Barker Road, Strathfield facing Chalmers Road, refer image in figure 9 previous. The side setback of this approved development from the corner site’s secondary road frontage is 2.5 metres, less than the 2.65 metres side setback proposed for this development) 5 Landscaping 5.2 Controls 5.2.1 Landscaped Area 1. The minimum landscaped are required for each lot is indicated in Table A.3.


Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the site cover is proposed to increase by 11 sq. metres therefore the total landscaped area (soft and hard) of 626 sq. metres will reduced by the same amount to 616.43 sq. metres. This area represents 67% of the site area which exceeds the minimum landscaped area of 414 sq. metres (45% of site area) permitted by the control 2. At least 50% of the minimum landscaped area should be located behind the building line to the rear boundary. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as more than 50% of the minimum landscaped area of 414 sq. metres is located behind the building line to the rear boundary 3. At least 50% of the front yard should be maintained as deep soil soft landscaping. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as more than 50% of the front yard will be maintained as deep soil soft landscaping with the established garden retained 6. The design quality of front gardens must respond to the character of the street and surrounding area and contribute to the garden character of Strathfield. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the existing mature garden established in the front and side gardens will be retained and protected without any vegetation removed so as to contribute to the overall garden character of Strathfield and the setting of the adjoining streets 5.2.2 Tree Protection Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the proposed works will not affect or harm any existing trees. The sunroom addition is substantially located over the footprint of the existing paved patio and will be built on a raised sand pad bounded by a perimeter retaining wall with a strip footing below. A simple trench excavation for the strip footing and will be required adjacent to the house to be located as indicated on DA architectural drawings A04, A05 and A06. A small trench excavation will also be required for the dwelling’s gas service pipe and meter relocation, located as indicated on DA architectural drawings A04, A05 and A06. Likewise the proposed addition’s stormwater service connection to the existing soakwell may require a minor trench excavation, unless the option of a direct connection via the dwelling’s existing downpipe to soakwell is adopted. When completed, all of these excavations will be infilled and concealed by the restored garden landscaping surrounding the sunroom. These building ground works are to be located well outside the existing canopy spread and drip zone of the adjacent trees. These trees will be subject to a tree protection zone (TPZ) where required, established prior to the construction phase. These measures will protect the tree’s branches, canopies and root systems from harm and 5.2.3 Private Open Space Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as all existing Private Open Space at the rear of the site will be retained and will not be affected by the proposed development and maintain the garden character of Strathfield.


5.2.4 Fencing Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as all existing fences to site boundaries are to be retained insitu and the existing pattern of fencing to the street maintained. It is proposed to relocate the existing house gas meter to the western boundary which will entail a small cutout being made to the existing timber paling fence at ground level. This is to allow the meter to be accessed and read by the gas service provider from the adjacent footpath and will have negligible impact to the existing fencing pattern. 6 Solar Access 6.2 Controls 6.2.1 Sunlight Access 2. In the case of alterations or additions to existing dwellings solar access to windows of habitable rooms and to the majority of Private Open Space must be substantially maintained or achieved for a minimum period of three hours between 9.00am and 3.00pm at the winter solstice (June 21). Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the only windows impacted will be the western facing glazed French doors to the house’s living room, which will receive a similar amount of solar access via the sunroom addition’s glazed walls and roof as currently exists 3. 50% of the Private Open Space of any adjoining residences should receive solar access for a minimum period of three hours between 9.00am and 3.00pm at the winter solstice (June 21). Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the location of the proposed sunroom addition on the house’s western side ensures that it will have no affect on the amount of solar access received by Private Open Space of any adjoining residences. As these Private Open Spaces are located to the north and east of the site their solar access will be retained as existing 4. Proposal does not reduce the amount of solar access received by adjoining premises. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the location of the proposed sunroom addition on the house’s western side ensures that it will have no affect on the amount of solar access received by adjoining premises. As these premises are located to the north and east of the site, their solar access will be retained as existing 7 Privacy 7.2 Controls Visual Privacy 7.2.1 Building Envelope and Dwelling Layout


1. The private open space of the adjoining dwellings is protected from overlooking. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the sites adjoining and their dwellings located to the east and north are protected from direct overlooking by the development. This is due to the location of the proposed sunroom on the west side of the house which is distant from these dwelling’s boundaries and visually screened from both. Privacy will be retained as existing and the amenity preserved 2. Provide adequate separation of buildings. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the proposed development does not change the existing separation of buildings both on the site and between adjoining sites. Adequate separation will be retained as existing and the amenity preserved 3. Ensure finished floor levels are not excessively elevated above natural ground level. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the proposed sunroom will match the floor level of the existing house. The floor level will be approximately 300mm above ground level to allow direct access to occur between proposed sunroom and the house’s living room. This limited elevation will also allow access to the garden via two steps, as shown in the architectural drawings 7.2.2 Windows 1. Windows should not directly face the windows, balconies and courtyards of adjoining dwellings. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the proposed sunroom’s windows do not face the windows, balconies and courtyards of the adjoining dwellings located to the east and north of the subject site. This is due to the location of the proposed sunroom on the west side of the house which is distant from these dwelling’s and visually screened from both. The adjoining dwellings’ existing levels of privacy will be retained and their amenity preserved. 10 Water and Soil Management 10.2 Controls 10.2.1 Stormwater Management and Flood Prone Areas 1. Development shall comply with Council’s Stormwater Management Code. On site detention devices may be required to assist in the management of stormwater on the site. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the proposed sunroom has a total roof area of 11 sq. metres which is to be collected via a gutter and discharged via downpipe and underground drain (or via dwelling’s existing downpipe located adjacent to the proposed sunroom) into an existing soakwell. This soakwell is located in the western side garden adjacent to the dwelling. The soakwell is of sufficient size to accept the small additional volume of water to be collected from the sunroom roof and disposed of efficiently. The building work anticipated in association with the proposed development will not adversely affect the existing stormwater surface


drainage of this area of Strathfield. All the existing paths of surface drainage will be retained on and around the site so as to be compliant with the Council’s Stormwater Management Code 10.2.3 Soil Erosion and Sediment Control 1. Appropriate soil erosion and sediment control measures during construction must be detailed in the DA and implemented prior to the commencement of work. Response: The development will be satisfactory with respect to this control as the proposed sunroom has a footprint area of 11 sq. metres which will replace the existing patio paving. This will only minimally disturb the ground soil as the patio to be demolished is built on a raised plinth above ground level which along with any footings will all be removed back to the level of the adjacent natural ground level. The demolition materials will be predominantly reused on the building site with any residual materials disposed of into a skip (installed in the on-site parking area adjacent to the rear driveway). Any turf lawn, topsoil and ground soil excavated in trenching works associated with the development are proposed to be retained in a separate stockpiles, located in a temporary area adjacent to the construction site. This area is as noted in Architectural Drawing A04 Proposed Sunroom Addition Floor Plan and Stormwater Management Plan. The stockpiles will be managed and the materials later used to backfill trenches or dispersed to restore soft landscape areas in the adjacent garden. No soil erosion is anticipated to occur associated with the development’s demolition, excavation and construction phases on this relatively flat building site, as all excavated stockpiled materials will be contained within a Geotextile lined sediment control fence to prevent any run-off. This fence is to be erected around the perimeter of the building site with sandbags deployed to act as a further barrier to prevent sediment run-off from the site. This will contain any liquid materials accidentally discharged during the construction phase (ie. concrete pours for floor slab and strip footing) and prevent them from contaminating neighbouring properties or the public domain. Additionally the subject site has secure timber fencing to all boundaries which would further contain and mitigate any sediment flows or liquid discharge. 11 Conclusion The proposed Development Application to the Strathfield Council for a minor addition to a 1920s detached residence located within the Strathfield municipality in the R2 low density residential zone is permissible under the Strathfield Local Environmental Plan 2012 (SLEP 2012) as well as the Strathfield Consolidated Development Control Plan 2005 (SCDCP2005) Part A. The proposal to demolish the existing dilapidated patio and pergola and replace with a sunroom addition to the western side of the dwelling and relocation of the gas meter to the side fence are rational planning solutions. The development will provide improved amenity and optimize the dwelling’s relationship with the side garden for the owners and users of the property. This extension to the living room will provide additional habitable space for the occupants as well as a transition room linking the residence to the side garden. The glazed sunroom with operable windows will provide an all weather year-round conservatory for the users and optimum controlled climate conditions for the cultivation of indoor plants. It will also allow for enhanced cross ventilation and maintain solar access to the living room while opening up expansive views to the surrounding


landscaped garden. The sunroom’s side doorway will maintain access and egress to the garden and the dwelling’s living room. The proposal is compatible with the existing dwelling’s 1920s Californian bungalow design and character by not altering any of the residence’s external fabric or internal room arrangements and retaining all existing window and door openings. The siting of the proposed addition on the western side of the dwelling and its small scale, transparency and low height ensures that it will be seen as having very limited visual impact. Being recessive by location, design and appearance it will not dominate the western elevation of the dwelling or the adjacent Chalmers Road streetscape. The design uses scale, forms, materials, finishes and colours that reflect the traditional character of the dwelling and neighbouring development. The subject site of the proposed development is not located within any conservation areas but is located in the vicinity of three local heritage items. The addition will be physically distant from the three identified heritage items in vicinity of the site and also will be visually screened by the surrounding dense garden vegetation and boundary fencing. Therefore the proposal will have no physical impact, little visual impact and negligible visual dominance over these heritage items. As designed the sunroom addition will be sympathetic to the heritage items, compatible with their heritage values and not adversely impact on the heritage significance of these properties; including their landscape elements, settings, views and curtilage. The report demonstrates that the proposal is suitable for its locality in terms of design, impact and compliance with the statutory planning controls and has been designed with regard to the local codes applying to the site. It minimises any adverse impacts on adjacent properties in terms of neighbourhood amenity, view loss, visual privacy, solar access, heritage significance and landscaping whilst maintaining the existing streetscape character. On this basis it is recommended that approval be granted for the proposed development. Ronald Brown Architect and Heritage Consultant


APPENDIX Images of the western side of the existing site and dwelling at 89 Albyn Road, Strathfield where the proposed sunroom addition is to replace the dilapidated pergola and patio:

View of patio and pergola looking south View of patio and pergola looking north Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019

Western side of subject site, boundary fencing and dwelling viewed from Chalmers Road Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019


Western side of subject site, boundary fencing and dwelling viewed from Chalmers Road Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019

Chalmers Road streetscape of site looking east, note fencing to boundary and dwelling beyond fence surrounded by dense vegetation in landscaped garden Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019

Chalmers Road streetscape looking west from site, typical two-storey contemporary residential development on opposite side of road to proposed development location Source: Ronald Brown Architect, December 2019

ronald brown architect statement of environmental effects ...€¦ · the site is currently used...

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