Surely one of the most contentious issues in property is the loss of views. Harbour views, water views, scenic views, city views – they are all so prized by property owners that they have very high economic value.
Recently, Urbis has addressed this issue in two locations: one where a view of the Sydney Harbour from a commercial property is in dispute and the other related to a coastal beach view from a residential property in Victoria.
“Generally, views are not owned and are shared and there are no guarantees that views from a development will be maintained. However, there are situations where the loss of a view may be challenged.
Generally, views are not owned and are shared and there are no guarantees that views from a development will be maintained. However, there are situations where the loss of a view may be challenged. While each situation will require a complex planning and legal evaluation, the general principles were laid out by Senior Commissioner Roseth SC in Tenacity Consulting v Warringah Council (2004) NSWLEC 140. The Planning Principle established a four-step process for considering the impact of a development on views.
“This is a debate that won’t be going anywhere soon. That’s our view, anyway.
Each case will need to be assessed on its merits. However, where a development will potentially obstruct a view from your property, it is worth keeping these four points in mind. In both recent cases where Urbis has been involved, the key debate centred on the fourth of these points – is the development non-compliant with a planning instrument, control, or overlay.
This is a debate that won’t be going anywhere soon. That’s our view, anyway.