Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 17, 2007 9:00 pm Hi all,
This is more of a whinge than anything... Due to the shape of our block (nearly triangular - wide at the front narrowing to a point at the back left rear) we have found it difficult to find a plan to suit without going down the design-our-own path. We found a plan that is the right shape, but the length is a slight problem as the council has a minimum 4m setback from the front boundary - meaning the house length has to be less than about 18m. Coming up 4 weeks ago I submitted a "report and consent" to apply for a 3m setback - meaning the house will only have 80cm taken off the length. To apply for report and consent is $200 - which we think is a bit of an unnecessary cost but we are willing to pay it in the hope we get the extra house area. When I handed in the paperwork I asked how long it would take to find out whether it was approved or not, and was told we would hear in 2-3 weeks, and if we hadn't heard by then to give the council a call... Tuesday (3 weeks since I lodged the papers) we called the council and asked about the progress of the application. The response was "oh, it's on the desk, ring tomorrow and we'll have an answer". Rang Wednesday late afternoon and was told "oh, the guy's just looking at it now, we'll have a decision by tomorrow, ring back then". Rang Thursday and was told "a letter has been sent out, we were unable to process the report until we get more information from you". Could they not have told us that we had provided insufficient information 3 weeks ago at the time, or shortly after lodging the form? We provided the information listed on the form (plans of the house, plans of the subdivision, sitings of the house on the land, title etc) yet now they want more information. We didn't generate the papers they asked for - it was from the builder and they should know what is required. Now we have to go back to the builder and get them to re-do what they have already given us (wasting more time) but with every minute detail. I realise that they are basing their decision on what will go on the land, but this has got nothing to do with getting council approval to build - we just want the nod to say we can build to 3m of the setback. I firmly believe had we not rang on Tuesday we would still be waiting for an answer and the papers would still be "sitting on the desk". If they are being this difficult about "report and consent" how much worse are they going to be when it comes time to get council approval of the plans to build?! Has anyone had any experience applying for report and consent? Or are all councils the same? Ray. Second Time 'Round Re: Council approvals 2Mar 17, 2007 10:37 pm I have no experience in the area that you are posting about.
But my question... Their lack of organisation really surprises you? [sneakersss] Re: Council approvals 3Mar 18, 2007 11:04 am I guess it doesn't surprise me, but I did think that considering we are PAYING for this that the least they could have done was LOOK at it!
~Ray. Second Time 'Round Re: Council approvals 4Mar 18, 2007 1:21 pm We had a similar situation(house beside us was at about 10m from footpath and we needed 5m for ours),but seemingly short circuited the whole procedure by asking the neighbours ourselves if they objected ,they didn't and readily agreed to sign the drawings in agreement. Perhaps that might help your case? Re: Council approvals 5Mar 19, 2007 10:12 pm The block next to us (we only have one neighbour on one side) hasn't even sold yet - so I guess approval would have to come from the developer? The blocks across the road are owned by a building company (guess) cos they have signs advertising house and land packages. There are no houses being built in our court yet and only one in the rest of the estate so we figured that we should have a good chance getting in early. Second Time 'Round Re: Council approvals 6Mar 20, 2007 1:05 pm Ray,
We had a similar problem (yes, same council and builder as you!). Luckily you don't have to deal with the council for your building permit. 'The' builder has a private BS they use, and it only tooks us 2-3 days. That's the least of your worries. Rob Re: Council approvals 7Mar 22, 2007 2:33 pm Just thought I'd add that we submitted the documents they requested yesterday and have found out that we are in for another 3 week wait...
HOPELESS! Metri have also put our plans on hold until we get the council report and consent back, which means we can't do our selections yet. Here we were thinking that we had heaps of time to start building - we want to start about middle of the year... I don't think we'll have any problems filling in the time! At the rate we're going we'll be lucky to be in by next winter! Ray. Second Time 'Round Re: Council approvals 8Apr 20, 2007 8:12 pm Just for if anyone is interested,
We got the letter in the mail today to say... wait for it... They have approved the sitings and have deemed that we can have the house closer than the minimum 4m. The closest part of the house is 3.4m from the footpath, and the garage is 4m, with the portico sitting at 2.45m from the footpath but they have said it's not counted unless it is taller than 3.6m. We are totally wrapped - it only took about 8 weeks but we are so pleased we can leave the house as is and not have to reduce rooms or cut more than the alfresco off. Ray. Second Time 'Round Re: Council approvals 14May 18, 2007 7:37 pm Congratulations Ray,
We will be building with the same builder too. Which council did you approach? Ours is- Monash.. well known for deep setbacks. Any way.. we'll wait and see what happens... they said it will be 3-4 weeks .. luckily, we are not renting so a bit more delay is ok. Enjoy your building experience! vp Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 10792 We've had the offer of a short term tenant whilst waiting for CDC/DA home approval and demolition for our knock down rebuild. It would achieve a pretty low rent as it's… 0 13691 This was on google. Development controls 2.3.1 Front setback D1 New buildings within residential areas shall adhere to a front building line, which is 5.5-6m to the… 1 3610 |