A six storey apartment building containing 141 apartments on Ballarat Road in Maidstone has been given the green light despite one objection.
The site, which has been vacant for a number of years, was previously used as a restaurant and a used car yard.
Anthony Msonda-Johnson speaking for the applicant addressed councillors at a planning meeting on Tuesday, September 21.
Mr Msonda-Johnson said his client had proactively worked to resolve issues raised by council’s planning department since the application was lodged.
“The proposal was advertised twice, during those two rounds of advertising only one objection was received,“ Mr Msonda-Johnson said.
The key issues raised in the objection related to building height, overshadowing, privacy and the impact of construction on adjoining properties and the impact to property values.
The proposal includes planting of new trees within the site, including in areas that are visible from public areas, such as adjacent to the site’s interfaces with Belt Road and Churchill Avenue.
The site is currently vacant following the commencement of early structural works associated with a now expired planning permit.
Councillor Bernadette Thomas thanked Mr Msonda-Johnson for acknowledging the surrounding environment.
“Thanks for highlighting the maintenance of the trees on Churchill Avenue and all of the attempts of landscaping inside the development,” she said.
“I think that is really pleasing and I think it will really enhance what the proposal is before us.”
Mayor Sarah Carter said the proposal was balanced.
“The fact that we don’t have a train full of objectives, I think is a pretty good indication of that. And I think the balance is right, it is great to see the minimum car parking requirement and also the cycling infrastructure as well, so it is a good balance.”
