Goulburn's Hurst Street heritage 'under threat' from proposal

More than 350 comments were aired on social media in regard to the development application to bulldoze 22 Hurst Street and build a $1 million American Georgian seven-bedroom house in its place.

The majority were opposed, however others believed the structure was an "attractive replacement."

"If you want a new build, don't buy in a heritage area," one said.

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"We need to preserve what we have. Streets like Hurst and Beppo, and that end of Cowper cannot be replaced!"

The Goulburn Post understands nearby residents are also concerned about its scale, heritage impact, "overshadowing" and whether demolition will set a precedent in the street. None were prepared to speak publicly.

However the owner has rejected any suggestion the almost eight-metre high house is out of character with the area. He did not wish to be named but said the designer had gone to great effort.

"It's been done with a lot of thought to ensure it's in keeping with the area's amenity and heritage," he said.

Goulburn Heritage Group doesn't agree.

"We are totally opposed to demolition of this house," president Doug Rawlinson said.

"It's in a heritage conservation area and most people regard Hurst Street as one of Goulburn's premier streets. To put a (large house) like that will detract from it."

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Plans lodged with Goulburn Mulwaree Council outline a seven-bedroom, six-bathroom home with three large living areas. There's also a four-vehicle basement garage, which will require three to four metres of excavation, and extensive outside landscaping to offset some tree removal. It will be set back 13.8 metres from the street.

The home is next door to Shanklin, a Queen Anne style residence built for the Knowlman family in 1911. This and four other homes in Hurst Street are registered by the National Trust of NSW, while five are listed as heritage items in Goulburn Mulwaree's LEP. Number 22 is not one of them.

Three houses in Hurst Street were designed by renowned Goulburn architect, EC Manfred, and one by his son, HC Manfred. It is not clear who designed the house in question.

Mr Rawlinson said the Heritage Group was still formulating a submission to the plan, currently on public exhibition.

"But speaking as a private individual, I'm concerned about the scale; it is way out of context with the rest of Hurst Street," he said.

"The (documentation) stating that it won't impact on heritage makes it sound quite positive, but it's not...You also can't have a two-storey building backing onto others on Bradley Street and say it won't overshadow."

A statement of environmental effects stated that the residence had been extended "numerous times" in its lifetime and there was "little left of its original fabric."

"In our opinion the demolition of this building will not have any impact on the heritage character of the neighbourhood," the document stated.

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The authors, Randall Dutaillis Architects, said there was significant cracking in external brickwork and around windows and doors, which they attributed to foundational shift. Due to its extent, the owner had decided demolition and replacement was the best option.

"The design of the new residence borrows elements from buildings of a similar era to the existing one in the neighbourhood," the document stated.

The authors acknowledged the new house would overshadow neighbouring properties but not any of their windows or habitable rooms.

Research revealed the block was part of the 1888 Hurstville subdivision. The original 'cottage' on the site, since extended, was built for Arthur Sach and his wife, Annie by 1890.

Mr Sach came here as Goulburn Technical School principal in 1886, according to Tazewell's Grand Goulburn and was "a man of considerable talent in engineering science and art." He was also instrumental in establishing the Art Society.

The current owner, a local businessman who has lived in Goulburn for 20 years, said he bought the house earlier this year, drawn by the area's amenity. Realestate.com.au listed a $960,000 sale price.

"We think it's a good area to develop a private residence," he said.

"We engaged an architectural design professional and I'm satisfied the heritage aspects have been taken into account."

The owner told The Post the house would be solely used as a private home. He also argued other residences in the street were higher than his proposed one.

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Randall Dutaillis Architects owner, Andrew Randall agreed. His firm's only role was to prepare documentation for the DA and not design the house. The design was "a fait accompli" by the time it reached him.

"It's a big block (1571 square metres) and people build big houses on big blocks," he said.

"It is not out of character; there are at least three other houses in close proximity that are eight metres high. It is acceptable under the council guidelines."

Mr Randall told The Post the house had been modified four to five times, which was apparent in differing external brickwork and ceiling material inside. His firm did some work there about 15 years ago.

"As houses go it's fairly ordinary. It's not the best (heritage) example but it is in the best street and it's a test case for the council," he said.

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"We think the planning laws as they stand permit this. The council has to make a decision."

Regarding excavation for a basement garage, Mr Randall believed the house was sufficiently distanced from others that it wouldn't impact. However a dilapidation report would be prepared and any reparation undertaken in line with a standard clause.

The council declined comment on the DA at this stage, given it remained on public exhibition. The exhibition period was extended by two weeks to November 16 at residents request.

The DA is likely to be considered by councillors given the number of submissions.

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