ANY privacy Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban had hoped for at their new $6.5 million rural retreat is looking unlikely with 100 motel units set to be built next door.
Now their names are being used in a fight over the 100-building conference and accommodation centre, which they were unaware was likely to be built over the back fence of the Southern Highlands mansion.
The pair bought the 1878 Georgian Bunya Hill property in Sutton Forest for $6.5 million in July after initial council approval had been given for 100 units to be built in the grounds of the neighbouring pub. They now face the prospect of guests peering directly into the backyard and rear of the magnificent mansion.
Approval for the units is expected to be given by Wingecarribee Shire Council in February.
"When Nicole and Keith move in they will have a fantastic view of a bunch of motel units down the hill," said resident Gary Barnsley, who owns the Everything Shop, one of three village businesses. He said the development by the Sutton Forest Inn had divided the district.
"This is a very quiet place with two shops and a pub. There's not even a public toilet and now they want to put in 100 motel units," he said. "Of course there's opposition. That's why they call it the Whinge and Carry On Shire."
A lobby group of around 30 nearby residents is fighting the plan and already one rumour has Kidman and Urban now selling the mansion, which is now under renovation.
"That's absolutely untrue . . . they are looking forward to going there," the couple's spokeswoman said yesterday. She added she believed Kidman and Urban didn't know about the motel plan when they bought the home.
Meanwhile, Sutton Forest Inn co-owner Gary Cowan said the celebrity couple should have been told that the development was planned before they purchased the mansion, which is just 200m from the pub.
"We've not had contact with Keith and Nicole but we were planning to make contact as neighbours and run them through our plans," he said. "They should have known about it but if they were looking for privacy it's not the best place for them because we can clearly see the place from the back of the pub as it is."
District neighbours include John Hewson, Alan Jones, Maggie Tabberer and Reg Grundy. Scott Lee, Environment and Planning director at the council, said the development had initial approval but submissions were still being accepted after alterations were ordered and a decision is due in February. The couple are spending Christmas in the US.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
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