In the wake of the Land and Environment Court’s refusal to approve the development of the Bidura site in Glebe, MP for Balmain Jamie Parker has called on the government to buy the property back to protect the heritage values of the site.
Mr Parker said:
“The developer has already reportedly tried to sell the property to the City of Sydney for the purchase price of $33 million.
The development application was opposed by hundreds of objectors, and the decision of the court demonstrates the huge impact that the development will have on this state significant heritage item and on local residents.
I call on the Minister for Finance and Property to buy the building back order to safeguard this fine heritage item and local amenity.
The site is incredibly important to Glebe residents because it includes Bidura House, the historically significant villa which was designed in Victorian Regency style by renowned architect Edmund Blacket.
The Bidura building is the last remaining 1850s villa within a garden setting on the eastern side of Glebe Point Road.
It was pure folly to sell such a sensitive site, and it now it’s up to the government to admit they were wrong and put the site back into public hands.
The government should be protecting heritage sites like this, not ruining them with residential developments. Our community needs childcare centres and community facilities, not more residential apartment towers.”
ENDS
More information: Gemma Pitcher 02 9660 7586
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