The proposal indicates the units will be constructed at 7 to 11 John Shaw Close.

Nearby residents contacted the Argus about the plans.

Rose Llewellyn and Carolynne Reddacliff, who live in separate properties next to the proposed units, fear their privacy, way of life and property value would be impacted.

“Our bedrooms, bathrooms, front and backyards will be visible from their properties,” Ms Reddacliff told the Argus.

“Who would want to live next door to 19 units?

“It would change our lives, we are back from the beach and living in a residential area, we didn’t buy here to live next to holidaymakers.”

Papers on display at Kempsey Shire Council show the proposed development would consist of two five-bedroom units, seven four-bedroom units, nine three-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit, which equals 67 bedrooms on three lots of land.

There would be 37 car spaces available, but the residents claim this is nowhere near enough, especially when considering boats and trailers.

A council statement sent yesterday in response to questions from the Argus said: “The development application for the proposed development of 19 units at 7-11 John Shaw Close, South West Rocks, is currently on exhibition and can be viewed at Council’s Customer Service Centre until Monday 16 October. 

“Residents are encouraged to comment on the application by lodging a submission to council before October 16. Information about the development such as building height, car parking are detailed in the DA.”

Architects Buck and Simple prepared the application on behalf of Boomerang SWR.

Buck and Simple architect director Kurt Crisp said they had addressed the privacy concerns and added five more car parking spaces than required by council controls.

“The development is composed of 19 dwellings with a two-storey maximum on a site where three-storey development is permissible,” Mr Crisp said.

“The site has an 11m height limit and the maximum height of our proposed buildings is less than 8.1m. We have designed buildings that will sit comfortably within the surrounding context.

“Privacy was raised as a concern for three of the 19 units. We have since worked with council and the owner to amend the design.

“The completed design will provide five extra car spaces than is required by council controls.”

Julie Irvine, who also lives on Josh Shaw Cl, voiced her disapproval of the plans.

“During holiday times it will be an absolute nightmare, families will come with several children, teenagers could come and party,” she said.

At the September Kempsey Shire Council meeting, council’s acting director of operations Robert Scott said the council could and would communicate better with members of the public in regards to submission papers on project proposals.

However, Gail Thurling said the council had failed in its communication with her on the proposed development.

Ms Thurling lives on Roy Sanders St, which is the only street connected with John Shaw Cl, but she was not informed by council of the proposed development.

“I was extremely upset and angry when I found out letters were not sent out by the council to inform me and my neighbours of the development,” Ms Thurling said.

“I can’t see why the people on my side of Roy Sanders St weren’t considered as stakeholders and worthy of consultation by council.

“I am a rate payer and I deserve to know.”

The Argus asked the Kempsey Shire Council for a response to the residents’ concerns about communication, but no answers were provided.