NIMBYs will say just about anything to stop their suburb from changing… their latest excuse to save an eyesore from being demolished takes the cake
A proposed proposal for a six-storey hybrid building has come under fire, with NIMBYs complaining it will negatively impact their ‘mental health’.
An incredible 14 of 16 submissions made to the City of Sydney Council on ABC Planning’s $15 million proposal rejected the Surry Hills project in the city’s inner south.
The council has recommended approval of the developer’s plan for 141-155 Commonwealth St, which will see the new building include retail space, commercial offices and a communal roof terrace.
All of the above will fit into just six floors, but neighbors of the proposal claim it will block vital sunlight into their apartments, negatively impacting their mental health.
Submissions against the plan also cited overshadowing, visual privacy, height and noise as concerns Daily Telegraph reported.
Commonwealth St resident Caroline Lorentz claimed the height of the proposed building would reduce the privacy of neighboring properties.
“The proposed development will result in a significant loss of visual privacy, which will impact the quality of life for residents of these east-facing apartments,” she said.
‘There will be a loss of privacy during the day, as well as the possibility of light spillage at night.
Neighbors of 141-155 Commonwealth St are frustrated by a new hybrid building proposal (pictured).
Since 2015, there have been at least three proposals for the abandoned eyesore at 141-155 Commonwealth St (pictured)
“This will seriously affect the quality of life for the residents of 74-80 Reservoir Street.”
Another anonymous local resident claimed that the proposed building would take a huge toll on surrounding residents.
“The amount of access to solar energy or the loss of access to solar energy to my living spaces has a major impact on the livability of a home, the mental health of its residents and also the value of the affected property,” said a submission to the municipal council.
‘Please take my concerns seriously and consider how this may affect not only the quality of life in my home, but also the mental health of the residents of the affected homes.’
NIMBY is an acronym for “not in my backyard” and refers to neighbors who oppose major redevelopments in their area while supporting those in other suburbs.
Since 2015, at least three proposals have been made for the abandoned eyesore at 141-155 Commonwealth St.
Although previously approved for transformation into student housing and a 96-room hotel, no plans for the 913 square meter site have yet been realized.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted ABC Planning for comment.