HEPBURN Shire councillors have approved a subdivision in Daylesford, despite strong community concern about neighbourhood character and drainage.
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The proposal, planned for 10 Langdon Court, will see the block subdivided into two low-density residential lots.
Several residents attended last week's council meeting to air their concerns, which included the small lot size, bushfire risk, drainage and the precedent the development would set.
Many said they had moved to the street because of the large lot sizes, which would be compromised by the subdivision.
"This will diminish the amenity of the neighbourhood and it goes against the intent of the structure plan," one man said.
"There will be pollution from the runoff, and what guarantee is there that this will have no impact?" another fellow resident said.
But councillors agreed with council officers that the subdivision met all planning conditions, and voted to approve the proposal.
Cr Pierre Niclas moved the motion to grant the permit, saying he could not vote on what "might occur", but rather what the planning act allowed.
"These are the times when you have to look people that you know in the eye and decide on what you believe to be correct and right," he said.
"This decision is not pleasant but the proposal ticks the boxes so we must allow it.'
In backing the proposal, Cr Kate Redwood agreed decisions must not be "what we like, but what the provisions allow".
Cr Sebastian Klein said while he was sympathetic to residents' concerns, the "opportunity to have a say in the planning of the proposal had been and gone".
The proposal details two vacant lots of 2001m2 and 2000m2. There is no significant vegetation on the site.
The council report stated the subdivision would not adversely affect the amenity of the area.
It noted the site is located within the defined urban growth boundary in the Daylesford Structure Plan, where development is encouraged to achieve a more compact township.