Council to Decide on Brisbane House That Breaches Height Restrictions
OWNERS of homes in the southern Brisbane suburb of Holland Park West are outraged a house under construction has breached height regulations to the tune of more than 2.5 metres.
Neighbours of the home in Kneale Street say the house is more than 11 metres high, breaching the 8.5 metre limit of all other houses in the street, which offers panoramic views over the suburbs, to the Brisbane CBD.
The owner of the property is now seeking a relaxation to height rules, to allow construction of the home to proceed. The home’s owner told a Supreme Court hearing he acted on professional advice from planners who claimed the building was 8.5 metres high.
The court is leaving it up to the council to decide whether construction should proceed.
Neighbours in the street, which include Coffee Club director Emmanuel Drivas, are asking the top storey of the building be demolished, bringing the home in line with planning requirements.
Holland Park Councillor Ian McKenzie told Brisbane’s Courier Mail he felt concern for the neighbours who had lost part of their views, but he said views were not sacrosancy and owners could not demand they be preserved.
The council is expected to make a decision about whether to relax the height restrictions in the area, later this week.
Earlier this year, the council demolished a near new house at Cluden Street, after its owner breached height regulations. That double-storey home on top of Holland Park West hill, included a viewing tower.
