There are a number of reasons why someone might want to apply in relation to development in the North Sydney local area. There are also a number of rules and regulations at the local level, state level and in some cases involving commonwealth law concerning the legality of development in the North Sydney local area.
When applying for council’s consent, submissions must be in writing and should relate directly to the work proposed and its possible impact on surrounding property or the locality. Council staff can assist you when viewing plans and specifications and can answer questions on specific technical issues. Staff are not in a position to comment on the merits of the proposal at notification stage nor is it appropriate that they assist you in formulating your objection, should you have one. Council will send you a letter acknowledging the receipt of your submission. Council does not provide a specific response to the matters raised in submissions as these are addressed in the report prepared on the application.
The matters which Council may consider are set down under legislation such as the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 and relate to environmental impact. Issues such as moral objection, commercial competition or personal circumstances of an applicant or objector cannot be given weight in Council’s assessment.
Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans and the Building Code of Australia are matters that must also be considered. These provide controls to assess the proposal. They include issues such as overshadowing, privacy, heritage, urban design and view corridors.
Your comments will be considered in conjunction with Council’s legal responsibilities, the interests of the community at large and the reasonable expectation and rights of the applicant. Council will carry out a balanced assessment of these interests in the analysis of any application and may vary the application of its “controls” on merit.
If you would like legal advice or information concerning the legal rules surrounding developments in the North Sydney local area, please do not hesitate to contact us.