Plans for a 38-dwelling apartment complex up to five storeys high at Spotswood have been refused by the state’s planning tribunal.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) upheld Hobsons Bay council’s refusal to grant a permit to Melbourne Cup Pty Ltd for the development at 637 Melbourne Road.
Last June, the council rejected an application for an eight-storey, 56-dwelling apartment block on the same site. It drew 176 objections from surrounding residents.
The developer appealed to VCAT with revised plans showing two buildings – five storeys and three storeys – with 38 apartments and 37 car spaces.
VCAT presiding senior member Laurie Hewet and member Tracey Bilston-McGillen echoed residents’ concerns about the visual bulk of the buildings.
“As the building is designed, we are uncomfortable with the height due to the proposed materiality and harshness of the form,” they reported in their decision.
“The building should create a sense of place and identity at different levels, generally for Spotswood, as well as the future occupants of the building. While the building is creative, it fails in our view to successfully integrate itself into the area.”
The VCAT members expressed concern with the form of the three-storey building, which had a flat roof and extended 30 metres.
They said they were also concerned about the impact of freeway noise, noting that residents of relatively small apartments relied on external balconies for their amenity.
Mayor Colleen Gates said VCAT’s decision was a win for sensible planning.
“The development simply had too many important issues that remained unresolved, including drainage, traffic and amenity concerns,” she said.
“We want growth and development in Hobsons Bay, but not at any cost. We’re looking for developments that create quality living environments for future residents that also fit in with their surrounds.”
