Hi Fiona, I would have thought that in the circumstances you outline the strata could not grant permission because of section 116 and 117 of
STRATA SCHEMES MANAGEMENT ACT 1996 (assuming you are in NSW). I am sure there would be similar provisions in other states.
S116 provides that owners, occupiers and other persons not to interfere with structure of lot or services to lot; and
s117 that: Anowner, mortgagee or covenant chargee in possession (whether in person or not), lessee or occupier of a lot must not:
(a) use or enjoy the lot, or permit the lot to be used or enjoyed, in such a manner or for such a purpose as to cause a nuisance or hazard to the occupier of any other lot (whether that person is an owner or not), or
(b) use or enjoy the common property in such a manner or for such a purpose as to interfere unreasonably with the use or enjoyment of the common property by the occupier of any other lot (whether that person is an owner or not) or by any other person entitled to the use and enjoyment of the common property, or
(c) use or enjoy the common property in such a manner or for such a purpose as to interfere unreasonably with the use or enjoyment of any other lot by the occupier of the lot (whether that person is an owner or not) or by any other person entitled to the use and enjoyment of the lot.
Please excuse the formatting but the input box for my answer is playing up.