29 In the event that the Court was minded to grant development consent for the subdivision, the parties agreed that conditions 1 to 11 should be imposed, including condition 8(c).
30 In relation to condition 8(c), this is a desirable condition to be imposed, as the registration of the restriction as to user would give notice to an intending purchaser of the likely limitations on any subsequent development of lot 111. The council would be the releasor in respect of the restriction, and it would not be necessary for an applicant to apply to the Supreme Court to vary the restriction. It has been held that this Court, in hearing an appeal against the council's refusal of development consent, may exercise the council's power under the restriction to vary or revoke it: Willoughby Municipal Council v Huxley Homes Pty Ltd [1989] NSWLEC 135, a decision of Stein J confirming my decision at first instance. It seems to me that such a restriction, registered on the title, would be in the public interest and would have a sufficient nexus to the development that is the subject of this appeal. If the restriction as to user was merely a condition of subdivision consent and was not registered on the title, a question may arise as to whether such a condition would be enforceable following the registration of the plan of subdivision: cf. Hillpalm Pty Ltd v Heaven's Door Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 59.
31 In considering a subdivision application, the likely future use of the subdivided land is relevant: cf. Seraphina Bell Pty Ltd v Willoughby Municipal Council (19676) 69 SR (NSW) 344 (FC) at 359-360 per Walsh JA, with whom Wallace P and Holmes JA agreed on this point. The most likely future use of lot 111 would be for a dwelling house, and the council was concerned that an extra-large house on proposed lot 111 would detract from the rural-residential character of the locality. Subject to development consent being obtained, the restriction as to user would allow a reasonably-sized house to be erected on lot 111. The restriction as to user would put an intending purchaser on notice that a mammoth-sized house similar to that on proposed lot 112 would be unlikely to be approved. Development consent for a dwelling-house use of lot 111, in relation to either the existing building or a new dwelling, cannot be granted (or at least cannot be implemented) until after the registration of the proposed plan of subdivision.
32 It could be noted that the diagram referred to in condition 8(c) only shows the southern section of the subject land. The remaining larger section of the subject land, including the bushland corridor along the creek, is not seen in that diagram, as it is beyond the right-hand border of the diagram.
33 Clause 10A(1) of the LEP provides: "A subdivision that creates separate land titles for each of the two dwellings resulting from dual occupancy development is prohibited." Mr C McEwen SC submitted that granting development consent for the proposed subdivision, subject to a condition that condition 34 of the consent dated 11 August 1997 be deleted, would not be contrary to that clause. However, to make it clearer that the proposed subdivision does not involve the creation of separate titles for two existing dwellings, I propose that the earlier consent should be modified by substituting a new condition 34 to the effect that the building on 19 Glenhaven Road must not be used as a dwelling house unless and until a new development consent is obtained for that purpose. Even though that building has a kitchen in it, the kitchen may be used for any other legitimate purpose for which consent could be granted, such as a meal-preparation room for a child-care centre (which was a previously approved use for the building). Also, it could be said that the two buildings on the subject land do not result from an approved dual occupancy development.
34 For those reasons, I am of the opinion that the objection under SEPP 1 is well founded and that as a matter of merit development consent should be granted. The orders of the Court are:
1. The appeal is upheld.
2. Development consent is granted for a two-lot subdivision of lot 11 DP 626406 at 19 Glenhaven Road, Glenhaven, subject to the conditions in annexure A hereto.
3. The exhibits may be returned.
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A J Nott
Commissioner of the Court
rjs
Annexure A
Conditions of consent - subdivision of lot 11 DP 626406