A plan to demolish cottages on a prominent site in Thirroul for five townhouses has been knocked back by a unanimous Wollongong Local Planning Panel, with “local character” an issue.
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Planning rules limit building height in this area to two storeys but the developer, local investors represented by a consultant firm called Develop My Land, wanted three stories on 178 and 180 Lawrence Hargrave Drive. They argued it would only be three storeys on one side, because the block is on a hill.
The Local Planning Panel (LPP) knocked back this reasoning, as recommended by Wollongong City Council planners, who said there was not “adequate justification” for the variations, and the development had not been “designed appropriately”.
Several reasons were named for the refusal, including being out of character for the area, exceeding the floor space limits, and being too high for the area.
The downhill block, No. 180, had previously been the subject of objections from a neighbour over persistent asbestos problems.
The plan received 44 submissions from locals.
