| This precinct of Sherwood just west of Dewar Terrace has an interesting mix of prewar housing which one might consider would fall within the character protection policies much lauded by Brisbane City Council. However a walk around the precinct (Dunella Street, Dewar Terrace, Dudley Street and Sherwood Forest is a really pleasant walk) suggests that this is an area where there is clearly a collision between policies seeking character protection and decisions resulting in character destruction
! Here are some typical examples. |
| The first photo shows the problem when the new high density housing conforms to a totally different set of urban design rules
the original is well set back and provides space in the public-private realm of Brisbane's typical front yards, the new house has a driveway and the house is almost on the street. The houses are so close yet the new one towers over the original
and any semblance of character in the new house is very much cosmetic. There are issues of overlooking, "borrowed" or "stolen" amenity and of course, privacy or lack of it. |
| The second photo shows an interesting and innovative house, no doubt splendidly conceived for its occupiers, but what about the streetscape and the urban design rules? This new house is somehow allowed to be built far closer to the street than one might expect to be allowed by regulations or urban design in this setting and it does not even appear to be on a small block. This raises serious concerns about the reliability of regulations and/or character protection policies to ensure the new "insertions" at least respect existing character and streetscape "rules". This rather overbearing house is very tall, very close to the street and has barely space for screening by substantial street trees while clearly of merit. The question is a simple one. In this precinct and setting, does it belong? Or to quote from McHarg, does it "fit"? |
| The third photo is interesting because it shows that with appropriate respect for the building location, the dreaded "Tuscans" and derivatives can be far less obtrusive if they have the deep setbacks, front garden space and landscape structure that reflect the neighbouring sites and the precinct. In effect, they disappear from the streetscape but only if they obey the siting, urban design and landscaping "rules" which arguably create the character precincts for which Brisbane is so well renowned. |
| The obvious issue in this precinct as in many throughout Brisbane and other places is whether the local community can expect the amenity and character they value to be respected and whether they can in fact "have their say" in deciding the future of "their" area.
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