Chen Jie outside his home, behind is the train line. (< Daily Telegraph > picture)
A Chinese family in Sydney found their home "an island" after authorities approved a A $20 million development. Planners warn that the project could put many other families at a disadvantage after setting a precedent.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Chen Jie (Jay Chen, who lives in (Roseville), said that after Willoughby's (Willoughby) local planning team approved the townhouse project at the corner of (Archer Street) and (Boundary Street) on Archer Street and Bonderry Street, He and his wife, Melissa (Melissa), and two children became "hopeless".
Because the (duplex), which the Chen Jie family bought for A $1.75 million in 2013, will enter through the narrow lane on the side of Bonderre Street, and if the 12-meter-high, 42-storey townhouse project is completed, It means that Chen Jie's home is surrounded by this project on both sides. The other side is the train line, the other side is the public housing.
In such a siege, Chen Jie worried that the value of his house will plummet. "We have no choice but to be trapped here," he said. Especially when the project starts, who would want to see the house? "
"We submitted all the evidence to the city council and to the planning team. But we feel that no one cares about our rights, no one listens to our voices. "
Chen Jie said that although he had made it clear that he was willing to sell houses, developers had never put forward a formal purchase plan to him as required by the law. As a result, he and his double-handedly neighbors are at the same time stuck in an imminent siege.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported earlier that the townhouse was developed by China's Meilin Group, (Mayrin Group). Chen Jie's double-row neighbors rejected the developer's initial offer, but out of 11 properties on the block, the developer bought nine of them, with Chen Jie and his neighbor's house left unbought.
However, the city council recommended approval of the development project in the report said: "detailed analysis of the submitted plan shows that the developer during the site selection merger period, the developers have put forward reasonable and timely conditions for the purchase of (2 sets of dual-purpose houses) properties."
"these properties are likely to be part of the existing development plan in the future, along with the property in the south, or separately."
A city council spokesman said there were special provisions that would allow the property to be developed on its own to provide easements for vehicles entering Archer Street through townhouse projects at no cost to owners.
But Benson (Matthew Benson), a town planner hired by Chen Jie for the matter, warned that the Willoughby City Council's decision set a precedent for revoking important protections for isolated homeowners and said the developers had not made a "reasonable offer" to the Chen family.
Benson, director of MB's (MB Town Planning) for urban planning, said: "A 'reasonable offer' is not just about the amount of money, it's about giving isolated property owners enough time and information to make informed decisions."
"the purpose of the 'reasonable invitation' is to provide a certain level of protection to vulnerable people."