Owners Theresa Albioli and Tony De Marco currently own a range of properties throughout Daylesford known as “The Houses”, including two at 15 Raglan Street – The Station House, with five bedrooms, and The Manor House, with eight bedrooms.

A number of Raglan Street residents attended last week’s Hepburn Shire Council meeting to oppose the new rustic, large barn-style development, which would see all vehicular access via Rosella Lane.

Among the objections raised were matters of neighbourhood character, increased traffic, parking and stormwater management.

The developers argued they had planned for neighbourhood amenity, including extra parking and signage.

Neighbour David Griffiths said an extra accommodation development would build up too much traffic in Raglan Street, and suggested the developers build their own access road.

Birch ward councillor Kate Redwood went against the officer’s recommendation and moved to reject a permit for the barn, stating it would detrimentally affect amenity of the area and would lead to an “intensification of use”.

“The proposal to develop a dwelling on this site has much to recommend it, but I think the proposal we’re considering tonight is too extensive for the site,” she said.

“While the look of the building fits into the neighbourhood character...the amenity and the increase of traffic makes it problematic to residents on Rosella Lane.”

Cameron ward councillor Neil Newitt said he was concerned about parking would be controlled.

“To do anything but to refuse this permit would cause angst in the community.”