The plan for a 15-dwelling development on Main Street in Bacchus Marsh was knocked back by Moorabool council, with the proposal receiving 10 community objections.
The proposal included developing 15 dwellings at 49 Main Street and creating access to a road.
At the July 16 council development assessment committee meeting, two public speakers discussed their concerns with the plan.
Speaker Kimberley Blundell said she was concerned about the impact the development would have on current infrastructure and the neighbourhood.
“We understand that this land is going to be developed in the future, and we want to make it clear that we’re not against it being developed, we are against the plans that have been proposed, the scale that has been proposed and the impact it will take on us,” Ms Blundell said.
Another public speaker raised concerns around egress and ingress from the road and said at the moment “there’s just a gravel track.”
“The idea of a lot of cars going up and down that gravel track is quite daunting,” the speaker said.
According to council , several discussions were had with the applicant regarding the design and layout of the dwellings, and when a consultation meeting between the applicant and the objectors was requested, the applicant declined the offer.
Council planning officer Mark Lovell said the applicant was “quite firm that they did not want to mediate with the objectors”, and they were “very firm on their position with their plans”.
In the officer’s report, it was recommended that council issue a refusal to grant a planning permit as the proposal was inconsistent with the council’s planning scheme – particularly energy efficiency, urban design, building design, landscape, and neighbourhood character.
The report also stated the proposed development failed to adequately address the existing and preferred neighbourhood character – characterised by an open garden setting and generous side spacings between dwellings – that it lacked diversity for 10 or more dwellings, and it failed to integrate with the surrounding developments due lack of setbacks, continuous built form and minimal secluded private open space areas.
The council voted in favour of issuing a notice of refusal to the applicant.
