Plans to squeeze 11 double-storey townhouses on a Werribee block that is less than an acre in size have been quashed by Wyndham council.
The new owner of a Queens Court property applied to remove an existing three-bedroom house to make way for the townhouses, but councillors refused a permit, labelling the plan an overdevelopment of the site.
The difficulty that garbage trucks would encounter collecting bins, and the lack of parking, were among reasons the permit was refused.
In a unanimous vote, councillors slammed the proposal. Cr Mia Shaw vowed to keep a close eye on plans that may “offend” council’s planning policies.
“This just rings alarm bells, whether or not you have any planning knowledge. It just screams overdevelopment,” she said.
“Just because you have a large site, it does not mean you have free rein to maximise profits at the expense of the amenity of existing neighbours and future residents.”
The proposal was described as “completely ridiculous” and “extraordinary” by Cr Joshua Gilligan.
The property owner could not be reached for comment.
Records show the property’s sale was settled in August last year, after it fetched $950,000. Real estate advertisements for the property targeted investors, builders and developers.
