A Geelong Cat has walked away with a victory after taking council to VCAT over a development in Newtown. Here’s what he had to say.
Premiership player Mark Blicavs had applied to council to construct three subdivided dwellings at a property on Camden Rd in Newtown.
When the planning permit was refused, Blicavs appealed the decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The watchdog overruled council to grant the permit.
Blicavs said he was “really pleased” to receive the Tribunal’s decision.
Artist’s impression of the three proposed dwellings on Camden Rd, Newtown, with a shared roof for two dwellings included. Picture: Supplied
He said it was the culmination of a lot of time and investment in the design and planning of the project.
“I’m excited by what these three homes will offer to Newtown,” Blicavs said.
“I love living and working in the Geelong region and to be granted permission to build and hopefully make a positive impact in the community is something I’m excited for and proud of.”
The development is proposed on land where a single-storey property already sits, and has rear access to Allen St.
In the decision, VCAT member Megan Carew said council had argued the proposal didn’t “respect the preferred neighbourhood character” and that the side-by-side configuration of the buildings would “disrupt the rhythm of the streetscape”.
Ms Carew said while the site was not a preferred location for medium-density housing, the area was identified for “incremental change” and considered suitable for modest infill housing.
“This area has a traditional suburban form with a mix of housing,” she said in her findings.
This article contains features which are only available in the web versionTake me there
“There has been recent medium-density housing, such as on the corner directly opposite the review site and a range of new infill dwellings.
“There are examples of side-by-side construction of two dwellings in the broader area as identified by the permit applicant.
“There is a sense of spaciousness, but this is in part due to the topography, which slopes to the southern side of the street and provides outlook over dwellings.”
A solicitor appearing at the hearing on behalf of Blicavs called town planner Stuart McGurn to give evidence.
Ms Carew said Mr McGurn found the character of the neighbourhood was “mixed” and that it would change over time with further new infill dwellings, similar to that proposed by Blicavs.
This article contains features which are only available in the web versionTake me there
Loading embed…