Plans to continue with the development of a three-storey glass homes are in doubt after the building’s owners received a letter from the local council in what could be a potential win for fed-up neighbours.
Gold Coast retirees Gary Hopkinson and his wife Bijma Wati moved into their waterside Mermaid Waters home four years ago so they could spend more time with their grandchildren.
But any signs of a peaceful retirement were shortly crushed after a developer turned their next-door neighbour’s residence into two “intrusive” developments, just 20cm away from the couple’s boundary fence.
The three-level homes provide occupants with almost full view of the neighbouring residences have been coined a “glass monstrosity” by Mr Hopkinson and Ms Wati who were given no prior warning it was going to be built.
The couple are concerned occupants of the glass house will be able to look at their outdoor shower in the pool area, and the 20cm gap between their pool and the neighbour’s fence makes the area “unusable”.
Meanwhile architect, developer and part-owner Scott Koning said he “didn’t care” as he was building within the law, had a permit approved by the council and the design would lift the value of surrounding properties.
However, since the couple went public with their story, the Gold Coast City Council has found flaws in the developer’s plans, stating there are “inconsistencies with the planning approval”, A Current Affair reports.
“This includes screening treatments, opening windows in locations conflicting with the approval and balcony balustrading,” a statement by the council read summarising a letter sent to the developers.
As the development is not yet completed, the council said they will continue to monitor its progress to ensure it complies with the plans and that any “noncompliances are rectified”.
As for the height of the properties: “City Plan allows for dwellings to be built up to 9m in height in suburban areas. Dwellings may include a partial third storey if remaining under the 9m height.”
The council says a “partial third storey” is defined as a third level that is no greater than 50 per cent of the floor area of the level below.
But despite plans for the development indicating several areas are marked as “roof”, drone footage has revealed some spaces have been reserved for balconies instead.
“By allowing them to have balconies the whole way around they‘re turning it into 100 per cent usage,” Mr Hopkinson told ACA.
But unfortunately for Mr Hopkinson, the council said rules state “unenclosed private balconies” are not counted in the 50 per cent floor area.
“The proposal complied with this (partial third-storey) definition,” a council spokesperson told the program.
The Mermaid Waters couple were finally granted their first meeting with council about their “arrogant” neighbours – Scott Koning and Xumei Chi’s – development this week.
“I want council to ask them to remove every single bit that the council has not approved,” Ms Wati said.
Gold Coast City Council will be carrying out an inspection of the development this week, ACA reports.