Unit 1 - 95 Ebden Street, Ainslie, ACT

The developers who put three units on this block did so (legally at the time) with maximum building cover and chose to keep the front house small in order to maximise the size of the two back units. The current owners chose to buy the front house knowing the heritage and building site requirements. I don't think it should wash as an argument to step over the threshold, that an owner doesn't feel able to live in a small house - using Australia's large average house size as an argument. In any case, the market for small houses in Ainslie is going to grow with ageing and downsizing and this would fit with housing policy in an ageing population and environmental considerations. If the current owners don't feel they can live in a small house they can purchase one elsewhere in Ainslie. It's concerning that, if allowed, this would set a precedent and be the thin edge of the wedge for excessive building footprints, when the canopy and green space protection is a Greens commitment for Canberra. It's important to hold the line, particularly in the actual heritage precinct of Ainslie. I'll add that the application is not in keeping with heritage standards in any case. Any side extension should be in the same materials as the existing house. To allow this plan would erode the heritage significance of the street frontage.