Statement of Heritage Impact Inner West

Trace Heritage prepared a Statement of Heritage Impact for proposed alterations and additions to a Victorian-era dwelling in Ashfield. The property holds a Contributory 1 ranking within its heritage conservation area — the highest contributory classification, indicating a building whose key elements are largely unaltered from the street and which clearly reflects the conservation area's key period of significance.

The Property and Its Heritage Context

The subject property is located on a quiet residential street in Ashfield that retains a remarkably consistent collection of Victorian-era dwellings, recognised through its designation as a heritage conservation area under the Inner West LEP 2022.

The Inner West is one of Sydney's most heritage-rich local government areas, with numerous conservation areas and individual heritage items reflecting the area's layered history of development from the mid-nineteenth century onwards.

The Proposal

The owners sought to improve the amenity of their home through modifications concentrated at the rear. The proposed works included demolition of the existing non-original modified rear wing and patio, replacement with a newly constructed rear wing, a new internal courtyard space, solar panels on the rear roof planes, and repainting of front facade elements.

Our Heritage Assessment

Trace Heritage's assessment confirmed that the Contributory 1 ranked building would be retained and conserved. The demolition was limited to the non-original modified rear wing — an element that had already been substantially altered and did not contribute to the building's heritage significance or its streetscape value.

The repainting of front facade elements, with the face brickwork retained unpainted, demonstrated an appropriate approach to conservation maintenance — improving presentation without altering the characteristic material expression of the building.

Outcome

The Statement of Heritage Impact concluded that the proposed works met the heritage objectives of the Comprehensive Inner West DCP 2016. The character and streetscape significance of the Contributory 1 building would be maintained. The report recommended approval on heritage grounds.

Heritage in the Inner West

The Inner West's extensive network of heritage conservation areas means that a significant proportion of residential properties require heritage consideration as part of any development application. A well-prepared Statement of Heritage Impact streamlines the approval process by providing Council's heritage officers with the analysis they need to support an application.