5 - Special Character Areas
Special Character Areas
Sutherland Road Special Character Area
This area was auctioned as the Parramatta Heights Estate (DP 11843) on 2 May 1925, by real estate agents, Peach Brothers. A 1930s aerial photo shows a cluster of houses in Sutherland Road, north of the bend, plus a few houses along Pennant Hills Road. Building of houses continued in the second half of the 1930s. By May 1939 the area was covered by a residential district proclamation that required the external walls of houses to be of brick construction. Sutherland Road was probably named after the owner of the land or her husband, Victor Ernest Sutherland, an architect of Parramatta. At the time of subdivision, and for some decades after, Pennant Hills Road would have been a prestigious address.
This is a high quality residential area at the edge of the nineteenth century development of Parramatta. Its value as a residential area, and an important part of the history of Parramatta, will become more obvious as time goes by and development of this period becomes more readily appreciated.
Character of the area
- undulating terrain
- streets and some houses with views and glimpses of Parramatta to the south
- includes a small park enclosed by houses, with laneway access from Pennant Hills Road and Sutherland Road
- houses date from the late 1920s to the 1950s; mostly single storey brick, with Marseilles-tiled roofs including some distinctive skillion-roofed houses. There are a few original two-storey houses
- consistency in the siting, scale, and character of houses
- roads have grass verges, without footpaths, but with continuous street tree planting forming an avenue
- low brick fences
- gardens with open lawns and feature planting
- several large eucalypts in front and rear gardens add interest to the street scene
Approach to planning controls
Council's planning policies for this area are directed towards ensuring that development is consistent with the existing character of the area. The main elements of that character are face-brick houses, low brick fences, open, grassed front gardens with mature trees and views. Additions should be designed to retain the original façade and to minimise impacts on it. Impacts on the amenity and views of adjoining properties should be minimised.
Development consistent with the existing character of the area
- additions in brick matching the house, designed to minimise impacts on the original character of the house, and to protect the views and amenity of neighbouring properties
- rear garden placement of garages and carports
- high fences only in Pennant Hills Road, behind the original fences
- recladding of roofs in similar materials
Development not consistent with the existing character of the area
- new buildings or additions that result in a wall height greater than six metres
- major changes to the façade that alter its architectural character
- garage or carport beside the house and which block driveway space to back garden
- recladding, painting or rendering of exterior walls of brick houses and brick fences
- demolition of low brick fences
- fences higher than one metre
- buildings other than garages or other utility buildings within six metres of the rear of properties adjoining the park
