PORT Stephens Council has rejected a Development Application for a three-storey dwelling at 13 Ocean Avenue in Anna Bay.
Council staff originally endorsed the proposal, citing housing needs.
However, the application has been very controversial among some members of the Anna Bay community.
Andrew Searles, a member of the South Tomaree Community Association and former professor of health economics, lives next door.
He described community response as remarkable.
“Council received 98 submissions on this application and not one supported it,” Mr Searles said.
“A petition against it gathered 631 signatures, and more than 30 residents filled the public gallery for the decision.”
A majority of councillors agreed with the community that the size and bulk of the new development would have been excessive compared to the existing buildings in the area.
Preserving the existing character of Anna Bay was also cited as the main reason for the Council’s refusal.
“I’m sure buildings like these will exist at some point in the future in Anna Bay,” Cr Jason Wells said.
“But at this point, I think it is a step too far.”
Despite generally meeting guidelines, the building seemed to have been deliberately designed to be oversized, and did not adhere to Port Stephens development control plan objectives, Cr Roz Armstrong said.
“The staff reports that this building suits the emerging character [of Anna Bay], rather than the existing character,” she said.
“With respect, I believe that this is the wrong test.”
The only councillor in favour of the development, Cr Paul Le Mottee, said that housing targets would never be met if the council kept “clutching at vapours” to refuse valid applications.
“The building itself complies with just about everything,” he said.
Cr Le Mottee acknowledged minor non-compliance in the upper floors, but believed the impact to be extremely low.
His arguments were not enough to convince his fellow councillors, who voted to refuse the proposal.
The views of the community were clear, Mr Searles said.
“Anna Bay’s future character should be shaped with residents, through Council’s current review of the Anna Bay Strategy and Town Plan, not one application at a time,” he said.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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