A high-density, six-dwelling development will go ahead in Daylesford’s King Street despite several objections.
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The development originally planned for eight dwellings, with some at three storeys high. Hepburn Shire Council knocked back the initial application in favour of six dwellings, with a maximum height of two storeys.
Manager of planning Justin Fiddes said the proposed development was in line with the council’s infill policy in Daylesford’s growth urban growth boundary, where development was encouraged.
However, the council was forced to contend with a number of objections to the development, including that neighbours would lose part of their view of Lake Daylesford.
Other residents raised concerns the area was being over-developed, that balconies would allow an overview into neighbours’ living areas, and that it would led to 12 “unsightly” garbage bins on the King Street frontage.
Other objectors said the development would cast a shadow over their properties. Other objectors raised concerns about potential mine shafts, unstable soil and a water course that ran through the site.
Mr Fiddes said the altered plans met the council’s planning requirements.
Councillor Sebastian Klein said it was important to encourage development in the appropriate parts of the shire.
“Townships are where we want people to live,” he said.
Cr Klein also said intensive developments in town centres helped alleviate the problem of delivering services to residents outside central areas.
Councillor Bill McClenaghan also commended the development, but said it was vital the height was reduced from three to two storeys.
“It would set a dangerous precedent when everybody tries to go higher than everybody else,” he said.
He also said the development’s contemporary style would benefit the area.
“They’ve got a great site. They’re spending over $2 million to build something quite spectacular,” he said.
“I believe they should have a successful development at nine metres high.”