A PROPOSAL for a $1.3m four-storey development and adjoining three-storey building in the Woolgoolga Town Centre has been rejected by Coffs Harbour City Council.

The development application, which was lodged with Council in June 2019, involved alterations and additions to mixed use development comprising a cafe/restaurant, offices, residential units and a strata subdivision at 11 Market Street, Woolgoolga.

The four-storey building which fronts Market St and currently accommodates clothing and alterations store Oz-E Kids Clothes, was proposed to comprise a ground floor shop (cafe/restaurant), office space on the next two floors, and a residential unit on the top floor.

Behind this building a new three-storey residential building was proposed to replace existing two-storey residential accommodation, which would be joined to the front building via a carport.

Coffs Harbour City Council refused the proposal on January 4 and stated in its determination that the DA “is not considered suitable for approval”.

Reasons listed by the Council for refusing the application include the development not being designed by a registered architect, the development being substantially deficient in car parking, not providing sufficient setback and privacy from residential balconies, insufficient information provided on the structural adequacy of existing buildings to accommodate the additional floors of the development, insufficient information provided on waste management, and the development not satisfying design excellence under the Coffs Harbour LEP 2013 in terms of design, streetscape and access.

“Due to the non-compliances, the development is not suitable for the site, will have adverse impact on the built environment and is not in the public interest,” Council stated in its formal determination.

 

By Emma DARBIN