51-55 Westbury Road South Launceston TAS 7249

Dear LCC Planning Authority,
I have just been made aware via my neighbor of a proposed 10 unit/3 story development at 51-55 Westbury Road.
The proposed development may well have significant negative impact on the view of Launceston and the Tamar river from my property at 18 Merivale Street.
I find it extremely disappointing that I was not notified by the council of this proposed development when the application was lodged 8 months ago or the plans were lodged 13 days ago.
I would like the opportunity to discuss the development with council and will take time off from my work in the central highlands to travel home to look at this issue.
In light of my understanding that the DA for this development was not advertised on your website I request that the council allow more time for submissions.

I am writing to object to the proposed development at 51-55 Westbury Rd, Launceston (DA0618/2015)

I am very unhappy with the proposed height, which is strangely outside of council guidelines, and will impact upon privacy, sunshine of other neighbors, and aesthetic appeal of the area. I purchased my property due to the unencumbered outlook and privacy of my backyard. This proposed building will have balconies that look into my yard and afford views into several rooms of my house. I feel that such a tall and imposing structure looking into my yard may adversely affect future buyers from choosing to purchase my property, and with a reduced aesthetic appeal and multiple dwellings increasing both human and traffic noise it will likely detract from the value of my property. I know that I myself would not have purchased this property had such a structure already being built in that position.

It is well know that high density living situations often increase neighborhood disputes, and encourage transient neighbors, which does not promote a cohesive and peaceful lifestyle for the other existing residents.
I have already experienced issues with flats in the area, and have seen the police involved and heard screaming and evidence of domestic violence, so it worries me that more multiple high density style units with close access and shared driveways are proposed. I am a mother, who chose this peaceful street to create a safe home to bring up my children, and I would never purchase a property knowing that a multiple and towering block of units would be constructed overlooking our back yard.

I am extremely concerned about land slip risk also. I have experienced cracking and movement in my previous residence after autobarn was constructed, and I have noticed in the recent wet weather that my Merivale st property has multiple new cracks in both the plaster and brick work. The external windowsill on the northern side of my house is suddenly now obviously very misaligned since I purchased the premises. If wet weather has already caused such damage, what will excavation and construction pressure below my premises cause? Having to repair further issues would financially ruin me and result in me losing money on selling my property.

I have experienced flooding downstairs in my property recently also, and took note that the drainage between number 6 and number 8 is insufficient, with a small sinkhole from erosion already having started due to the two separate property heights and drainage issues. I am very concerned that the areas storm water and drains already seem insufficient, and so if multiple large infilled dwellings are sited below the existing problem the issues may multiply and threaten the structural integrity of the surrounding properties.

In recent months there were workman stating they were from a "leak detection" company wanting to put dye down my down pipes to investigate a leak towards
Westbury rd. I am unsure who instructed this, or what the result was after their few days investigating. I am not confident in the drainage of the area being able to cope with multiple extra residences and hard surfaces, as we have days where it is slow to ease on both the ground and in storm water systems. How will the stated reticulated system have room for construction being so awfully close the the existing neighbors boundaries?

I feel that the proposed overly high structure also is placed too close to existing residents on the western sides fences, this causes an invasion of privacy which can cause ongoing distress and psychological impacts upon individuals who were previously happy with the properties they had chosen to make their homes in. The risk of escalating disputes due to forcing such close proximity upon people who would expressly choose not to live that way is highly likely. Washing, noise and rubbish will likely become issues causing tension in such circumstances.

I feel that the residents of our street, especially those in close proximity to this proposal which is outside of regulations would be negatively impacted if such an imposing structure be built so close to fence lines. This is a quiet and private street, and we choose to buy and live here due to that, and for the beautiful outlook afforded by purchasing a property on a hill which improves values and mental well-being.

Thank you for reading my submission, and I hope that the relevant issues raised by the local residents are listened to during the decision making process. We are happy to live in this street, in a peaceful and cohesive neighborhood community where cooperation is valued.

Kind regards,

Kate Nixon.