Council's Planning Committee has refused a Planning Permit application to construct a three-storey apartment building in Highton.
The proposed Barrabool Road development was set to have 21 dwellings, made up mostly of one- and two-bedroom homes and one, three-bedroom apartment, on top of a basement carpark.
The building was proposed to reach a height of 10.47 metres excluding building services.
The two lots are within an established neighbourhood that has been earmarked as an increased housing diversity area, opposite Highton Reserve and close to Highton Village Neighbourhood Centre, public transport and a primary school.
The application received 31 objections and one letter of support. The applicant provided a written response to those opposed to the development; however, no objections were withdrawn.
Matters raised during public notice include neighbourhood character, building height and design, overlooking to adjoining rooms and private open spaces, and car parking impacts.
Planning Committee chair Councillor Andrew Katos
The application was assessed against the Planning Policy Framework, Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Scheme and public feedback.We found that the planning application is inconsistent with neighbourhood character and wouldn't make a positive architectural and urban design contribution to the area.
The proposal failed to meet daylight to new windows, neighbourhood character, residential, energy efficiency and other objectives.
We thank the community for having its say on this application.
