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H e r i t a g e I m p a c t S t a t e m e n t

Subdivision of “Truro” 34-36 Meredith St Strathfield Wisden Architects 1 | P a g e



I n t r o d u c t i o n

S t u d y a r e a

The study area for this Heritage Impact Statement is the property at 34-36 Meredith St, Strathfield Lot 1

in DP960727 and Lot 1 in DP960728. The property is heritage item I117 listed in Schedule 5, Strathfield Local Environment Plan 2012.

P u r p o s e o f R e p o r t

This Heritage Impact Statement has been prepared on behalf of the property owners to ascertain whether the proposed building works will have a positive, neutral or negative effect upon the heritage significance of the building.

M e t h o d o l o g y

The methodology used in this report is consistent with the “Statements of Heritage Impact and Assessing Heritage Significance” contained within the NSW Heritage Manual (NSW Environment and Heritage) and has been prepared in accordance with the principles contained in the Burra Charter (ICOMOS Australia, 1999).



S i t e c o n t e x t

The site is located within a low-density residential precinct of predominantly Federation housing. The property is 180m from the Meredith Street Conservation Area and 350m from the C2 Abbotsford Road Conservation Area.

Figure 1: Heritage LEP MAP

Figure 2: aerial view



H i s t o r i c a l c o n t e x t

Prior to settlement, the Wangal people occupied the land on which “Truro” is located.

The establishment of a secure, reliable food supply was fundamental to the success of the fledgling colony at Sydney Cove where the ground had limited fertility. Within ten months of settlement a second township was established at Rosehill near Parramatta. By 1789 a rough track, which became Parramatta Road, linked the two settlements. European settlement radiated from this vital link and the “Truro” site was part of the initial 1793 land grant to free settlers, aptly titled Liberty Plains. 1

1 State Library of NSW

Figure 3: Road linking the Parramatta and Sydney settlements

Figure 4: Sydney Map of Lieutenant Dawes 1791



34-36 Meredith Street is situated within the original grant to Thomas Webb, a gardener and his wife. The farm also accommodated his nephew, Joseph Webb. Thomas had previously arrived in Sydney aboard the Golden Grove, a first fleet ship enroute to establish the Norfolk Island settlement . Despite being issued with farming tools and implements, 2 years supply of provisions and the services of allocated convicts, the land’s productivity was limited, prompting Webb to relocate within the year, to more fertile land along the Hawkesbury River. By 1795 Thomas Webb had died of wounds inflicted by ‘Woods natives’ when his hut was plundered. He was buried in the Old Sydney Burial Ground now occupied by the Sydney Town Hall.

Figure 5: Strathfield settlement 1810



2 In 1807 Edward, Powell assumed Thomas Webb’s adjoining 80 acres grant which had been abandoned by his wife on his 1795 death. By the time of his in death3 in 1814 Powell had acquired 500 acres, which was all of the land granted to the free settlers on the left bank of Powell’s Creek. By 1830, the land had been transferred to the entrepreneur Simeon Lord, who was one of the largest landowners in the colony. Lord’s estates included notable properties such as Brush Farm at the Field of Mars, the 1500-acre (607 ha) Dobroyd estate between Long and Iron Coves and a 700-acre (283 ha) tract between Liverpool Road and Cook's River.

Figure 6: Parish of Concord c 18304

2 Fox and Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study Vol. 1 and 2, Strathfield Municipal Council, 1986. 3 History of the Powell Family by Richard Powell 4 http://parishmaps.lands.gov.au Ref 140699

http://parishmaps.lands.gov.au/



Simeon Lord died in the 1840s leaving his landholdings and factories to Mary, his wife. Mary’s will split the inheritance equally amongst all her children but the estates eventually went to the sons.

James Underwood died on 19 February 1844 and under the terms of his will the Underwood Estate was held in trust for his sons and managed by 29 estate trustees. James Underwood had few landholdings but substantial business interests, leaving a complex will which resulted in prolonged litigation. Thirty years and three acts of

Parliament resolved the estate. The Underwood’s Estate Acts of 1873 and 1874 allowed for parts of James Underwood Estate to be sold.

In the meantime, the first passenger railway line in NSW opened from Sydney to 'Parramatta Junction', on 26 September 1855. Four intermediate stations were located along the line at Newtown, Ashfield, Burwood and Homebush. The opening of Homebush station cost £275, which was offset by the substantial revenue generated by passengers visiting Homebush Racecourse, although this was to be relocated to Randwick within 5 years. The first release was the village of Homebush, where 34-36 Meredith Street is located.

Figure 7: Simeon Lord

Figure 8 Simeon Lord landholding

Figure 9: Strathfield station



Figure 10; 1878 subdivision

The subdivision generated the street layout and names evident today. Although sales were slow, a number of substantial villas were gradually constructed in the area. The typical residents were businessmen who required quick rail access to Sydney but preferred the country lifestyle. As the area developed more modest dwellings such a “Truro” were built,.

Figure 11: 1880 subdivision map with reorientated allotments on Broughton Road



P h y s i c a l a n a l y s i s The property comprises a large, double block with heritage dwelling facing Meredith street and tennis court at the rear.

Figure 12: view from Meredith Street

Figure 13: aerial view of rear of property

“Truro” house is a single storey Federation house constructed with facebrick. It has an asymmetrical façade, with a wraparound verandah timber valance and dichromatic brickwork to an arch. A slate hipped and gable roof is finished with terracotta ridge capping, cresting and finials. Timber windows feature multi-



pane coloured glass panels. The veranda roof is supported by rough-cast rendered masonry columns and the floor is paved with tessellated tiles.

Internally, the main house configuration remains intact, with modifications limited to the secondary rooms located at the rear of the building to provide private family living suitable for modern living. Figure 14: existing plan

Figure 17: Entry Hall

Figure 15: Dining Room Figure 16: Living Room



A s s e s s m e n t o f C u l t u r a l S i g n i f i c a n c e

H e r i t a g e L i s t i n g

The following authorities have been consulted in order to ascertain whether or not “Truro” is classified as a heritage item.

1. Australian Heritage Commission- Commonwealth

2. NSW heritage Office- State listing

3. National Trust of Australia

4. North Sydney Council.

“Truro” is not listed as an item of national or state significance. However, it is listed as item I117 of local significance under Schedule 5, Strathfield LEP 2012. Its significance is not documented in Strathfield’s Council’s records

S i g n i f i c a n c e a s s e s s m e n t

1. Association with important local persons Truro ” has no known association with significant persons.

2. Importance in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics of high achievement in local area

“Truro” is aesthetically representative of the Strathfield Federation domestic architecture. “Truro”s Federation detailing complements the Federation streetscape of Homebush village.

There is no evidence to suggest that “Truro ” has any technical significance.

3. Association with a particular cultural group or community for social, or cultural reasons “Truro” is considered socially representative by means of its heritage listing in Schedule 5, Strathfield LEP 2012. Accordingly, it is assumed that the local community holds the building in high esteem.

4. Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of a local area’s cultural

history. “Truro” is representative of the Federation style of architecture and characteristic of the historical pattern of urban development within Strathfield and the village of Homebush.

“Truro ” is one of many intact Federation properties in the Strathfield and Homebush area.

S t a t e m e n t o f C u l t u r a l S i g n i f i c a n c e

The above assessment determines “Truro” as

Historically representative locally. Aesthetically representative of the Federation style regionally and locally and Socially representative locally.

The integrity of the building is classified as intact.



A s s e s s m e n t o f p r o p o s e d d e v e l o p m e n t

The Development Application involves: 1. the consolidation of the two existing allotments (Lot 1 DP 960727 and Lot 1 DP 960728) into one and

subsequent subdivision into two lots with a Right of Carriageway along the northern boundary, as indicated below:

Figure 18: current subdivision

Figure 19: Proposed subdivision



2. Demolition of the existing garage, to provide access to the rear site.

Figure 20: Garage to be demolished



L e g i s l a t i o n i m p a c t i n g p r o p o s e d d e v e l o p m e n t “Truro” is a listed heritage item under Schedule 5 Strathfield LEP 2012. Under clause 5.10 (4)

“The consent authority must, before granting consent under this clause in respect of a heritage item or heritage conservation area, consider the effect of the proposed development on the heritage significance of the item or area concerned” This assessment considers the following requirements:

1 Retain features (including landscape features) that contribute to the significance of the item.

2 Retain significant fabric, features or parts of the heritage item that represent key periods of the item’s history or development.

Response:

This Development Application does not involve interference with the existing heritage building, hence the Federation external and internal detailing will remain in their current condition. The existing driveway adjacent to the dwelling will be removed to provide a landscape buffer between the proposed driveway along the northern boundary and the heritage dwelling.

3 Remove unsympathetic elements, especially where substantial changes are proposed to a heritage item, and there is potential for an improved heritage outcome.

Response:

The current unsympathetic garage and accommodation above will be demolished.

Figure 21: Garage and driveway removal



4 New work is to be consistent with the setback, massing, form and scale of the significant features of the heritage item.

Response:

The new subdivision is an improvement on the existing; the current subdivision divides the rear of the heritage dwelling. The proposed subdivision improves the curtilage, providing an area for a landscape buffer.

5 Locate change away from original areas of the heritage item that are intact.

Response:

The proposed subdivision is discreetly located away from the heritage building, at the rear where the tennis court is situated.

Figure 22: new allotment will be at the rear of the heritage item

Figure 23: new subdivision not visible from Meredith St



6. Maintain the subdivision pattern.

Response:

From Meredith Street the rectangular allotments of the historic Underwood estate subdivision will appear unchanged. The original allotment has already been halved; this Development Application reconfigures the subdivision to conform with the minimum site area control and provide curtilage for a landscape buffer to ensure the privacy and amenity of the allotments.

S u m m a r y

This report assesses “Truro” as a heritage item of regional significance for its Federation design, and historically, socially and aesthetically significant to the local community.

The proposed Development Application involves the consolidation of the two existing allotments and subsequent subdivision into two new lots, which avoids impacting the footprint of the heritage building. The subdivision also includes the demolition of the existing unsympathetic garage and removal of the associated driveway, extending the curtilage for a landscape buffer zone. As the new subdivision will not be visible from the street, the improvements will have a neutral to positive effect upon the heritage significance of “Truro”.



B i b l i o g r a p h y Strathfield Local Environment Plan 2013 National Library of Australia Trove digital resource Apperly R, Irving R & Reynolds P A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architecture, Angus and Robertson Sydney 1995. New South Wales Heritage Office, Assessing Heritage Significance, Sydney 2001 New South Wales Heritage Office and Department of Planning, Statement of Heritage Impact 1996. New South Wales Heritage Office “Search the State Heritage Inventory Database Strathfield Heritage https://strathfieldheritage.org/ Land and Property Information Parish maps http://parishmaps.lands.gov.au Fox and Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study Vol. 1 and 2, Strathfield Municipal Council, 1986.

https://strathfieldheritage.org/

http://parishmaps.lands.gov.au/



A p p e n d i x A - N S W H e r i t a g e D a t a b a s e

Federation House

Item details

Name of item: Federation House

Type of item: Built

Group/Collection: Residential buildings (private)

Category: House

Primary address: 34-36 Meredith Street, Strathfield, NSW 2135

Local govt. area: Strathfield

All addresses

Street Address Suburb/town LGA Parish County Type

34-36 Meredith Street Strathfield Strathfield Primary Address

Listings

Heritage Listing Listing Title

Listing Number

Gazette Date

Gazette Number

Gazette Page

Local Environmental Plan

102 12 Mar 99 32 2208

Heritage study

References, internet links & images

None Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

Data source

The information for this entry comes from the following source:

Name: Local Government

Database number: 2450113

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