Development loophole threatens couple's million-dollar harbour view

Retirees Judith and Peter have called their Sydney slice of paradise home for more than 10 years.

But now they are at risk of losing their million-dollar view because a neighbour plans to build up.

"To think it could be annihilated is just shattering," Judith said.

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The couple says their neighbour Rob applied for a permit to build the duplex using a fast-track development application method that allows him to sidestep the traditional development application process.

It can only be issued if the proposal meets specific, pre-determined development standards, and can be approved by a private certifier.

When A Current Affair knocked on Rob's door, he told us he lost his own view when another property was approved to be built up a few years ago.

"Well I was quite upset when these people removed my view," Rob said.

Rob says he objected to his neighbours' development application as much as he legally could.

While the former Manly Council refused construction, the state's Land and Environment Court granted consent.

In a statement, Northern Beaches Council said it has 333 applications currently under assessment, including 277 development applications and 56 modification or review applications.

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