Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine are battling with their local council after their $4.5 million home renovation application was denied.
The Today show host, 49, and former shoe designer, 39, recently filed plans to demolish their two-storey home in Sydney’s affluent Castlecrag suburb and build a four-storey mansion, but have yet to receive approval from Willoughby Council.
Jasmine, however, refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer and has launched legal action against the council with the help of a ‘team of specialist lawyers’. women’s day the magazine alleged.
“Jasmine has always wanted a huge harborside home, similar to the one Karl had with his ex-wife (Cassandra Thorburn and their three children River, Willow and Jackson), a source told the newspaper on Monday.
According to the source, the couple are planning to expand their building plans to include an additional wing for Karl’s three oldest children to live in.
Karl Stefanovic, 49 (left) and his wife Jasmine, 39 (right) are battling with their local council after their $4.5million home renovation application was denied
“It has been suggested that with the housing crisis they should consider building a wing with his own entrance for his eldest son Jackson, who like many young people is struggling to access property,” they said. affirmed.
Also, Jasmine and Karl did not hide their desire to enlarge their own offspring with a second child.
“At this rate, Karl may have to dig a little deeper, but he wants all his children under one roof – and plenty of guest rooms for all the in-laws! added the source.
The Today show host, 49, and former shoe designer, 39, recently filed plans to demolish their two-storey home in Sydney’s affluent Castlecrag suburb and build a four-storey mansion, but have yet to receive approval from Willoughby Council. (Pictured is a concept image of the planned development for the Stefanovics’ home)
Jasmine, however, refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer, reports claim, and has launched legal action against the council with the help of a ‘team of expert lawyers’, Woman’s Day magazine claimed.
“Jasmine has always wanted a huge harborside home, similar to the one Karl had with his ex-wife (Cassandra Thorburn and their three children River, Willow and Jackson), a source told the newspaper on Monday. (Pictured , Karl with his ex-wife Cassandra in 2012)
Jasmine, who works as a part-time influencer, would be in the lead when it comes to the aesthetics of their new home with the help of her interior designer sister Jade.
Women’s Day also claimed the Stefanovics are aware of at least two neighbors who have complained to the council about their proposal and hope everyone can get along once the plans are implemented.
The project, filed in March, would see their home have five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool and spa, entertainment area, yard and a three-car garage.
“It has been suggested that with the housing crisis they should consider building a wing with his own entrance for his eldest son Jackson, who like many young people is struggling to access property,” they said. affirmed. (Pictured: Jasmine with Willow, Karl’s daughter)
However, the council has still not taken a final decision on the redevelopment, with the plans considered rejected.
A development application that is not approved by council within 40 days is deemed to be refused, in accordance with New South Wales planning laws.
Those who have filed the application can appeal to the Land and Environment Tribunal to assess the projects.
Jasmine, who works as a part-time influencer, would be in the lead when it comes to the aesthetics of their new home with the help of her interior decorator sister Jade.
The couple bought their home, a 1960s three-bedroom building, for $3.2 million in 2021.
It is described in the DA plan as a ‘dated single storey’ dwelling, while the new house will have a ‘modern design’.
The application revealed that the couple’s plans include creating 102 square meters of living space below ground level.
The Stefanovics filed a plan with the city council to demolish their two-story house (pictured) to build a four-story mansion last March
It says the occupants’ ‘quality of life’ will ‘improve’ under the plans, while the proposal aims to ‘improve the streetscape and contribute positively to the locality’.
The renovation was “generally in line” with planning laws set by Willoughby council, according to development plans.
However, it did not comply with floor plan space ratio controls in line with local planning regulations. This is the ratio between the area of a site and the size of the land on which the building is located.
The Stefanovics stated in their proposal that the violation of the floor plan space ratio was the result of “the sloping topography of the site”.
The Stefanovics stated in their proposal that the violation of the floor plan space ratio was the result of “the sloping topography of the site”.
They argued that as a result their redeveloped property would have “no negative impact on neighboring houses or the locality/streetscape”.
The dispute between the couple and Willoughby Council is set to be heard in the Land and Environmental Tribunal.
The renovation had also drawn objections from the couple’s neighbors.
Pictured is one of the bedrooms inside the current accommodation.
In a presentation to council, neighbor Winny Lee expressed concern that the development would have a “view impact” on her family’s garden.
“It looks like the top floor of the proposed building will face our courtyard and living room,” she said.
She explained that she was also not “comfortable” about the impacts it could have on privacy.
It is understood that mediation has been scheduled between Counsel Stefanovic and Counsel Willoughby as part of the proceedings.
Further hearings on the planning dispute are scheduled to take place in February.
Pictured is one of the living areas inside their current home in Castlecrag.
