6 Short Street Wentworthville NSW 2145

OBJECTION to Demolition of an existing heritage listed dwelling house and tree removal

1. No.6 Short Street is a significant heritage item individually and as part of the Short Street group (2, 4 &6 Short St) protected by Council's planning controls. The heritage value and significance of the Short St group has been reinforced by the intensity of newer development in the Residential zones around Wentworthville (in both Parramatta and Cumberland local government areas).
2. The building is not damaged beyond economic and practical repair or restoration. Previous and current owners have neglected the building, but not beyond practical use and repair. The building and group is special for Wentworthville, including demonstrating the quality of early urban housing along the western railway beyond Parramatta, particularly quality brick and tile housing with rich timberwork within a short walk of the railway station. This group is in a prime street, linking creek, parkland and the station. The house and group of three houses is also rare in continuing to describe and convey the early suburban form of Wentworthville.
3. There is ample development potential for re-use of the house and new compatible building at the rear. The 'vacant' land at the rear is more than 60% of the property area and could be developed without compromising the Short St heritage group.
4. Demolition is unnecessary. The property ( 935.8 sqm R3 zoned land with 15.24m frontage ) can accommodate substantial new development at the rear of the lot with good side access whilst retaining the existing house and tree. The R3 zoning permits a wide range of uses compatible with the exiting house and which can more than fund restoration, retention and reuse of the house.
5. Demolition is not justified by any economic hardship. The current owner bought the property for $902,000 on 31 July 2018 (eg https://www.homely.com.a - /homes/6-short-street-wentworthville-nsw-2145/4636216) - less than $1000/sqm site area - fully knowing the exiting heritage controls and condition of the house. The heritage implications were reflected in the market response and the sale price (which was very low compared to other local R3 sales, and other residential houses at the time).
6. Any approval of the proposed demolition would mock Council's legitimate planning controls, undermine Council's substantial commitment to heritage and preservation, and destroy the established local character and amenity.
7. Approval would reward those flaunting Council's heritage controls, and encourage others to neglect heritage and environmental items. Approval of demolition encourages further heritage deterioration at the expense of current and future communities and environments.
8. I would be pleased to discuss my objection and provide further information to assist Council in determining this disturbing and damaging application.

In addition, this application to demolish a heritage listed building should be referred to Council's Heritage Advisory Committee for consideration at its next meeting scheduled for 5.00pm Wednesday 21 August 2019.

I object this application to demolish 6 Short Street, Wentworthville a heritage-listed dwelling for the following reasons:
1. Heritage-listed dwellings are essential for the character of the street and the wider region of Wentworthville. It allows residents and visitors to appreciate the history of the suburb. And maintaining this character in Wentworthville adds value of the surrounding properties.

2. There is not enough transparency of the future plans of the site. For this reason, there is no strong argument to justify the demolition of a heritage-listed dwelling.

3. In the development application, the State Impact Heritage report notes,
“The subject site was part of the Darcyville Estate which was offered at auction in November 1886. The lots which became 2, 4 and 6 Short Street were purchased by William Robert Reid Shannon, tile manufacturer of Wentworthville in1915 and 1916.”… “According to the entry in the State Heritage Inventory, Shannon built the cottages at
2, 4 and 6 Short Street”

Item 625 of Parramatta LEP 2011, Schedule 5 specifically identifies lots 2, 4 and 6 Short Street, Wentworthville as one heritage item, ‘Short Street Group’. Therefore demolishing the dwelling at 6 Short Street will not only be detrimental to the character of Wentworthville, but it will also completely undermine the heritage value of ‘Short Street Group’. It is not reasonable to demolish 1/3 of a heritage-listed item.
If this demolition is approved, what will that mean to lots 2 and 4 in Short Street?

I fear the approval of this DA to demolish a heritage-listed property could set a precedent, thus have a damaging impact on other heritage properties in the area.